Weekend at Mama Hop's House

With our big move just days away, we decided to go see Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne while they are still a toddler-tolerable road trip away.  The Diva hug fest commenced as soon as we walked in the door!

 Considering how difficult it is to pack up and travel with two little ones, Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne usually come to us.  It was a fun change of pace to be on their turf.

My big sister showed me the fundamentals of modeling.

 

Both girls were eager to spend time with Neko, Mama Hop's (in)famous Siamese cat.  To add an extra element of entertainment, we brought our ferocious not-quite-4-lb Maltese, Lillian, to challenge Neko's "alpha" title.  Bark, hiss, scamper, chase, repeat was the soundtrack to our weekend.

 The gorgeous and conceited cat wasn't the only entertainment available to the girls; they also had a fantastic time exploring Mama Hop's breakable treasures including her global bell collection...

 ...and her prized baby grand piano...

 ...which houses the shrine to our little clan.

 Mama "MacGyver" Hop set out to prove how you can baby proof a home with nothing more than a few rubber bands and paper clips.  Merryn happily accepted that challenge and raised Mama Hop one set of antique china.

 

It's a good thing Aunt Leanne was there to lay down the law and keep those little girls in line.

 We find that spending time outdoors is a perfect way to entertain toddlers. 

 The benefit is twofold: 1. If they're outdoors, they're not inside tearing up the house and

 2. All that fresh air and exercise wears 'em out so they go to bed early and sleep really well!

Leanne put Merryn in her bed.  Merryn thought she was a big deal! 

 

Our other weekend activities consisted of going to church (so Mama Hop could show off those grand babies, of course), eating at Mama Hop's second choice Mexican restaurant (first choice was closed), a little shopping (Folks, I am a Maxxonista!), and enjoying time together as a family around a table full of Mama Hop's delicious home cooking.

 Leanne insists everyone smell her after she gets out of the shower.  She says "Do I smell clean?"  It's a strange tradition but it's important to Leanne so we play along.

 

One of the funniest moments of the weekend involved Aunt Leanne's signature pose.

 I pointed the camera at Josie and asked her to "pose like Aunt Leanne" and she whipped this out:

Yes, our 3 year-old's size 2T pants are sagging worse than Justin Bieber's.

 

They both crack me up!

It was sad to have to say goodbye to Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne but we know we'll see them as often as possible regardless of the increased distance between us.  Furthermore, Mama Hop has learned how to Skype so we "see" each other all the time!

 

Just a warning that the blog may be neglected for awhile as we set out on our moving adventure.  While Travis' company sends movers to pack up our stuff and load the truck, we still have to pack up the essentials for this family of four (plus Lillian) in anticipation of what could be a 10 day hotel stay (hopefully less)!  I am currently procrastinating packing as we speak :-) 

We will try our best to update you along the journey up north but we can't promise.  Either way, we will take lots and lots of photos and we can't wait to post again from our new house as our new adventure begins!

 

Footnote: While at Mama Hop's house, I swiped some photo albums so that I could scan and share some more childhood photos of Aunt Leanne and I.  I got some priceless material that I can't wait to reveal!



Busy & Busier

Tying up loose ends around here has kept us mighty busy.  Josie had all of her exit appointments scheduled with her specialists on Thursday.  The children's hospital is an hour away and we anticipated being there for the better part of the day.  Imagine the fun of trying to keep two toddlers confined to a stroller and entertained for hours...

 But as luck would have it, Papa happened to be in town on business.  And because he's the best Papa in the world, he rearranged his meeting schedule so he could keep Merryn, leaving mom with one less toddler to worry about at the hospital.  God bless him! 

According to Papa, with the exception of one particularly nauseating diaper, the afternoon went well. 

Josie appointments were also very successful.  Even though she hasn't used the Mic-Key button in months, we opted to keep it in for the time being, so she got a shiny new one.  Her GI specialist helped us find a new pediatric GI doc in our new residence so we're all set there!

Josie had the best time admiring her reflection in this mirror in the waiting room.

The most anticipated appointment was the one with her pulmonologist and according to him, Josie is doing really well.  He warned me that if Josie were to get sick in the future, she would likely require oxygen, but for now, she's breathing easy!

Today, Josie had her last appointment with her beloved physical therapist, Bea.  Immediately after breakfast, Josie broke out her crayons and colored Bea a nice thank you note.

 We opted to take advantage of the beautiful spring morning and meet Bea at the park where Bea diverted Josie from her standard park activity - sitting in one spot, playing with mulch.  Instead, with a little encouragement from Bea, Josie did some walking, climbing and sliding. 

 As Josie's physical therapist, Bea had the greatest challenge of any of Josie's therapists - overcoming Josie's strong aversion to all gross motor activities.  But Bea never gave up!  Every week she brought new equipment and customized new approaches to inspire Josie to move.  And even when things seemed particularly discouraging, Bea always injected positivity into each session by finding a sign of progress ("Did you see how she transitioned into half kneel?!  That's terrific!").  For parents of children with special needs, having a therapist who remains positive and offers encouraging words is so critical to providing the motivation to keep going.  We are very grateful for Bea!

I'm beyond elated to announce that today marks my last day of solo parenting!  Dad has been living and working in our new residence for the past couple of months and the separation has been tough on everyone.  He has flown home most weekends but tonight he is flying home for the last time and we will be reunited as a family as we embark upon our big move up north!

But before that happens, we are spending our last weekend with Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne.  We can't wait!

Not Every Day is Blogworthy

Not every day around here is blogworthy.  Some days we just hang out...

 Some days we enjoy our newfound passion for school bus watching out the window.  We like to count them as they go by.  It's the little things in life that thrill the little ones.

 We keep holding out for Spring.  You can bet you'll find us at the park anytime it's above 50.  We dart out the door at the first sign of sunshine.

 Josie's new request is a push "high in the sky"!

Meanwhile, Lil Bit requests access to any piece of playground equipment that is not geared towards babies.  Whether it's a death-defying scale up the tallest slide or a ride on a swing with nothing keeping you there but the grip of your knuckles, Merryn thinks she's ready for it.  Mom thinks otherwise.

 We have lots of policies around here; "Shoes on all day," "Glasses on all day," "Nice Hands," etc...but the one we've been reiterating the most lately is "We don't eat sticks."  Can someone please explain why the kid who has spent the last 2 1/2 years in feeding therapy, overcoming her aversion to oral food intake starts salavating at the first glipse of playground mulch?  Really, Josie?  Really?!   

She just likes to keep it organic.

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 





Aunt Leanne and the firm never

Another fun-filled visit from Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne has come to a close and we are so glad that they made time to come see us.  It was really nice to have at least one day of mild weather so that we could enjoy the outdoors at our favorite park (when is Spring coming to stay?! Enough winter already!).

Mama Hop indulged us with her delicious homemade cuisine, and I indulged them with my scrumptious frozen fish sticks a la Schwan's Home Delivery (talk about an emotional goodbye with the Schwan's man...).  Leanne was kind enough to accompany me in taking the girls to the pediatrician for one last check-up prior to our departure.  She kept the girls entertained with some lively song and dance routines while we waited.

Leanne also humored me by participating in yet another photo shoot.  There was lots of goofiness, as illustrated above.

Last night, Aunt Leanne benevolently agreed to babysit the girls (with a little help from our treasured Megan) so that Mama Hop and I could go out to dinner.  In true Aunt Leanne fashion, I got a brutally honest report on my childrens' (mis)behavior while I was gone.  One child got an A+ while the other one was the recipient of the dreaded F+. 

 

It's been mentioned that oral hygiene is one of Leanne's foremost priorities and failure to adhere to a rigid dental maintenance regimen is a major offense in Leanne's book.  So when Josie decided to showcase her stubborn streak during her pre-bed teeth brushing, her beloved Auntie was not amused.  And it's not like Aunt Leanne can relate to this whole stubborn phenomenon.  Apparently her extra chromosome didn't come with any "stubborn".  Uh huh...


After a strict lecture this morning, JoJo was forgiven.  The divas had one final hug/squeeze/I love you/I pray for you session, and Aunt Leanne and Mama Hop drove off into the rain while two sets of big, blue eyes watched through the window.

While the big move is just around the corner, we have one more visit with Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne on the horizon.  This time, it's going to be on their turf, which should be particularly amusing as we haul two toddlers into Mama Hop's domestic gallery of breakable treasures.  Be sure to tune in for that one!

Blog Update by Aunt Leanne

dear eyovbody
glad
be siter house
elizabrth
nickname
for fried rice
ii srry shepulll
hair meeryn banna
split stabbeey joise
catfish with ketchup
nicname
hair  off
nice hands
good
babysit
for breakfast olemter
sausge and mushrrom
bisciut
buuuter
hot choclate whip cream
on top
water
and
i done
love leanne
nickname
cheseberhead

Translation: Aunt Leanne wants everyone to know that despite the fact that she's a good babysitter, Merryn still pulled the bow out of Josie's hair, causing a little upset among sisters.  And in true Aunt Leanne tradition, she ate a fantastic breakfast on her way to our house and she wants to make sure her readers know (and envy) every detail! 

In other news, we sold our home (woo hoo!!!!) contingent upon an appraisal from the prospective buyers' financial institution.  The appraiser came this afternoon.  Aunt Leanne informed me that she was very polite to the bank appraiser.  In addition to flattering the appraiser by telling her that she was very pretty, Leanne invited her to stay and watch the Disney Channel with her.  Leanne is her name, and schmoozing is her game.  I'm thinking that we've got this deal in the bag.  Thanks, Leanne!

Wild Weekend (for us)

A friend recently complained that our blog isn't updated frequently enough.

Guilty as charged.

I will say that if you're not getting enough of your CCE fix here on the blog, you can find almost daily updates (including way more of #HurricaneMerryn 's oh-so-entertaining antics) on Instagram.  But for those of you who aren't on the Instagram scene, here's a little recap of our adventurous (yes, this word is relative) weekend.

While I'm not a paid endorser (wouldn't that be grand?!), I will issue a friendly public service announcement that it's Gymbucks season at Gymboree!  I hate it when I accidentally miss Gymbucks time.  Thanks to generous Gymbucks donations from YaYa and our beloved friend, Aleksandra, I got a whale of a deal on summer clothes for my little ladies who are nearly overlapping in size.   

In non-munchkin news, Travis and I enjoyed a great date night on Saturday.  Not knowing when we'll have a chance to do it again, I warned the sitter that we would be out late (which for us old married folks is 9pm - 10 if we're feeling really wild!).  We ran a few errands and then had some dinner at this fun little Mexican restaurant.  Afterwards, we decided to enjoy a drink at the lovely wine bar next door.  I grabbed a table on the patio while Travis went in and got drinks.  When he returned, I told him it was too chilly to sit outside so we moved our little tête-à-tête indoors.  Not realizing I was right behind him (where else would I be?!) with my generously poured glass of Cabernet in hand, Travis grabbed a chair to pull it out for me (so chivalrous) and his elbow knocked my full glass of wine into my face!  I was literally soaked in red wine!  I stood there in mortified shock as vino dripped from my face and hair while Travis issued repeated apologies through his laughter.  Romance, folks.  Pure romance.  Needless to say, date night turned into catching up on our DVRed shows on the sofa.

 On Saturday, we packed up our little ladies and went on a little road trip to a fun college town about an hour away.  We had a delicious lunch at a marvelous Italian restaurant but the big draw - are you ready for this? - was Costco!   That's right.  We drove an hour to go to Costco.  It's our idea of a fun Saturday.  This is an exciting life we lead.

I was hoping to top off our little road trip with a brief stop at the outlet mall but unfortunately, Josie's attitude would not permit that.  The only way we got through Costco was by me blaring "Rolling in the deep" from my phone.  At that point I wasn't really concerned whether the other shoppers were Adele fans or not.  I would have proudly blasted the tune from an old school boom box on my shoulder if it would have silenced her whining.  Between that and my eager photography (you would've thought I was a tourist at one of the 7 wonders of the world instead of a shopper at a big box wholesaler in the Heartland), Travis pretty much pretended like he didn't know us the whole time. 

But overall, we had a fun weekend and the blog has been updated (just for you, Helena!).  Tune in tomorrow because Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne are going to squeeze in another visit before we pack up and move 12 hours away.

National Sibling Day 2013

April 11th is National Sibling Day!  Come to think of it, it's also our dog's birthday but I digress...Today we honor our beloved brothers and sisters and we recognize the impact that they have had on our lives.

 

My sister has been the single most influential individual in my life and I am incredibly grateful for her love and support.  Likewise, my daughters share a closer relationship than I ever could have imagined.  Witnessing the bond between siblings is one of the richest rewards a parent can experience and my heart overflows with joy daily when I watch my girls interact with one another.

In honor of National Sibling Day (and because I'm currently obsessed with this One Republic song), I assembled a little slide show.  This one just may be my favorite slide show to date:

Happy National Sibling Day (and Happy Birthday Lillian)!

In Honor of National Sibling Day 2013

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Our impending move is quickly approaching and even though we've moved many times in the past, this time is different.  Moving is always an emotional experience.  Leaving the wonderful neighbors, colleagues, and friends we made in various cities is always hard.  But those other moves never came close to eliciting this degree of sentimentality.

 

Our lives changed dramatically in the past four years that we've lived in this home.  We went from being two carefree young professionals to being parents.  We became a family in this house.  We brought our babies home to this house. 

 

This is the family room where Josie sat perched on her trusty, giraffe-print, circular mat, for months and months and months (16 to be exact) until she became mobile.  Meanwhile, Merryn was perched on that mat for about 30 seconds before she decided she'd rather be on the go and into everything, actively challenging my OCD with her hurricane force energy.

 

This room is my favorite.  It started as an office and we decided to turn it into a playroom when we became pregnant with Merryn.  Adorable hot air balloons created by Travis (aka "Crafty Dad") adorn the wall as the morning light floods in through a big window flanked with soft green curtains.  The girls spend most of their day in this room, reading books, having picnics, and dancing along with the singing animal collection.

This is our patio where a big, beautiful hackberry tree shelters us from the summer sun and holds a little red baby swing that has evoked countless gummy grins.  On this patio, the unmistakable sounds of a Midwestern summer evening fill the air- cheers echoing from the softball game at the park across the street, and the faint melody that trails from the ice cream truck as it beckons neighborhood children.  This is where we've fired up the grill, watched fireworks, and had many late night talks over a couple of beers after the girls are fast asleep.

 

At the end of the hall is the nursery where our girls sleep side by side every night.  Its decor is gender neutral, strategically designed to be equally welcoming to either a boy or a girl when we got the call that every adoptive parent yearns for.  A giant oxygen tank and pulse oximeter serve as poignant reminders of the arduous journey that Josie traveled from her days as a medically fragile infant to a thriving toddler.  Many a bedtime story has been read in that cozy brown rocker and many a morning fist bump has been extended between those cribs. 

 

Like most formal dining rooms, this one was only used on holidays but those occasions held the most significant memories.  At this dining room table, we announced our intentions to adopt a baby with Down syndrome to my mom and sister.  One year later, that precious baby sat in her daddy's arms at this same table, surrounded by the adoring gazes of a family who was profoundly grateful for the blessing we had received.  This is where we proudly displayed our pint-sized Christmas tree and nativity set every December, and it's where we exchanged the gifts we'd lovingly selected for each other on Christmas morning.  This is also where we shared our last meal with my dad, who was painfully weak and frail from cancer, but he was determined to fulfill his promise to join us for Thanksgiving.

 

On one level, it's just four walls and a roof in a family-friendly neighborhood in a wholesome Midwestern town; a mere real estate listing consisting of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.  But to us, it's a sanctuary where we laughed, loved, lost, and realized our dreams.  And the gravity of that, my friends, cannot be underestimated.

 

Going forward, we will establish another sanctuary.  We will share new experiences.  We will realize new dreams.  But this stop along memory lane will always be sacred and forever cherished.

More Teachable Moments with Aunt Leanne

We were the lucky recipients of another fun visit from Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne this week.  I had a speaking engagement (special thanks to the SLP grad students and their professor - it was such a great experience!) so Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne were kind enough to come and babysit the girls.

 I know when I leave the girls with their Aunt Leanne, they will receive lots of attention...

 ...affection...

 ...and enriching experiences.  I also know that these little ladies won't get away with much because Aunt Leanne won't stand for that.  She keeps these girls on a short leash!  And if anyone does get out of line, I know I'll hear about it in no uncertain detail!

 Spring is finally starting to appear around here so we took advantage of the opportunity to walk to the park.  I took along my camera so that we could attempt one of our infamous photo shoots.  Leanne stopped traffic practicing her poses.

 And we all know Girlfriend doesn't need any practice.  She's a well vetted modeling expert!

 We had a great time blowing bubbles and enjoying the sunshine!

 We got some cute shots, notwithstanding a few defiant toddler moments.

 Yesterday, Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne helped with breakfast before preparing to leave.

 Then they hugged and kissed the kiddos and waved goodbye, promising to return as frequently as possible before the big move.

Of course Aunt Leanne's goodbyes are never that simple.  Yesterday, Josie got a firm lecture, wrapped in lots of love, from her sassy Aunt:

 

Leanne has high expectations for these little ladies because she loves them so much.  Sending all of our love and gratitude to Mama Hop and Aunt Leanne for their help.  Come back soon!