Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas 2010

Good morning! New easel from Aunt Natalie & Uncle Paul... Evie clutches her new Pillow Pet left behind by Santa (in her bed).


First gift opened!


A book about being a big sister from Uncle Andy.


There's MORE in my stocking! Yeah, a Hello Kitty coloring book!


Evie sits with her haul (well, most of it anyway!)


Evie and her glamorous jewelry.


Evie clutches her newest prized possession, ""Sleeping Beauty" DVD.


Great Evie one-liners while opening gifts:

• First thing Evie says to Lala on Christmas morning, "I wanted TWO Pillow Pets."
Ah, sheesh... I can't win (I can tell you Evie never even did anything with the ONE Pillow Pet a month later...)

• After opening a pink plastic jewelry box from Lala & Pop-pop, she opens the box to reveal a musical ballerina inside... *pause*, "Where's the jewelry?"
Ah, gratitude.

• A slight break in the gift opening, Evie is pawing at a new dinosaur-themed floor puzzle. I ask, "Evie, you want to put this puzzle together in the other room?"
Enthusiastic reply, "No! I wanna open more presents!"

• Opens up a new DVD and announces what it is, "Toy Story 3! .... 'cause I'm 3!"

• "Is this for me?" holding up a gift for someone else, "I want another present...."

Friday, December 24, 2010

Milestone: People and Landscapes

I must begin this post with just a few notes to consider. First off, Evie is 3.5 years old (well, "officially" she will be on Jan 2nd) and that she has ALWAYS moved through each stage of development in a stepping-block fashion. What I mean to say, whereas most kids try things a few times and fail or make mistakes before finally "getting it"... Evie has always flat-out refused to do anything she thinks she can't do ("No! I CAN'T do it!") and will not even attempt to humor me with trying. This has included everything from crawling to walking to speaking to picking up any drawing utensil or fork. She will simply not try anything until one miraculous day (and after many, many days of close observation of others) she will suddenly spring forth and do the very activity she has claimed to not be able to do. It frustrates me to no end because she will sometimes appear to be "behind" the other kids but then she amazes me with her ability to suddenly go beyond where the other kids are developmentally. I have finally learned that she's like this and no longer push her to attempt things knowing full well she will do it when she not only wants to... when she's good and ready... but she will then do it for the first time, masterfully.

So, artwork. Obviously, with an art major mother who does graphic design and a father who is a self-taught illustrator... we have been eager to see her find joy in coloring/drawing like we both did (and still do!) as kids. Evie has shown very little interest at all until attending pre-school this September (at age 3 yrs 3mos). Her after-hours program there has opened a new world for her where she fills countless pages (both blank and from coloring books) with solid colors. She colors from edge-to-edge in blue or purple (2 of her 3 favorite colors). She's learned other crafts and loves to help... but when left to her own project... its a solid-filled page for sure.

I have begun tp pick out a few and thrown out the countless many solid pages knowing that a new horizon was coming soon... one that offered a wee bit of imagination and creativity. Don't get me wrong, I love the solids, too (Rob framed one of her solid purple finger=painted pieces for me to hang and I love it) but I can't keep everything.

Finally... SUDDENLY... the damned in her mind broke open on December 20th with her asking me to draw a circle in which she added eyes, nose, mouth, hair , arms and legs. I was blown away. She had crreted "smily" faces with much goading from me... but never had she added hair or limbs... and done all of it willingly. I quickly turned pages and asked for more. With each one I smiled and she beamed. We filled 5-7 pages that night. She's been going full tilt ever since and I am so excited to see where this all will lead!

Here's some highlights:

Second or Third drawing from that first night she did this (Rob's parents). Those lines at the bottom right are an "E" for Evie:

Evie made cards for all of us during Christmas Eve dinner. This is Rob and I on the inside. I'm not sure who's on the cover:.



Another card of mom and dad featuring Uncle Andy on the cover. I think its hilarious she gave him red hair (which, he is strawberry-blonde!):


A landscape drawing made on Christmas Eve. This is the first time she has ever made a sun with rays, a blue sky and a rainbow:

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Little Brothers....






Today at 3:15PM we found out that I hadn't gained more weight since my last check-up (I am right in the middle of the target range, yes!), that the baby now weighs 11 oz, that the baby has a heart rate of 146BPM.... and that the baby IS A BOY!

Today is my dad's 64th birthday and I thought it would be cool to pull my parents into the sonogram room if they'd let me (my parents haven't ever had a chance to experience technology like this and its so cool/real to see the baby moving on a screen!). We went to the doctor as 4 adults and one kiddo. They seemed OK with the idea but stated the rules first, "I have to do my job FIRST and then I can let them in. Only 2 people at a time."

After we chit-chatted with the lab-tech (Rob was in the room with Evie coloring on his lap), she warmed up to us. She took, quite honestly, about 23 photos for us to keep (!!!).
It did not take long to see what we were looking for. There is zero question that this boy... is a boy, ha!

When we told Evie it was a little brother she made a gasp sound and then continued coloring. She has no idea what she is in for. Let me re-phrase that... none of us know what we are in for!

The tech went to fetch my parents and we all agreed to not say anything. She even let Rob and Evie stay in the room while she showed my folks how the baby was grabbing his toes... then waving his hands and then finally hitting himself in the face (brilliant already!). My parents seemed pretty amazed that this baby already looks and acts like such a baby... and let's be honest... it really is an amazing thing how quickly all this happens.

The tech flashed the baby's privates to my folks and my dad caught it right away. Evie was their first and only grand-daughter... and this one will be there first and only grand-son. Pretty perfect for them!

We headed off to a birthday dinner soon afterwards... and then a quick trip to The Gap after polishing off desserts. Rob and I went wild buying 6 articles of clothes for the boy while we were there. A batman shirt with velcro-attachable cape? A knitted penguins face hat? A penguins patterned onesie? Who could resist! Resistance is futile!

The day was a fun-filled and busy day...
... it was only at 5AM did Rob and I both lie awake in silence... each with our own private panic attacks. A boy? TWO KIDS? Holy shit. What are we in for!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Tacky Light Tour - 2010

Loaded up in the car and ready to go!



First house on the stop - always a famour hit, the Pfifer's (shown on TLC)

New house for us this year, pretty awesome!

Its the famous "Mr. Christmas!" also featured on TLC

Evie and dad outside Mr. Christmas's house

Tacky Light Tours are big in Richmond... and with this many crazies who love to go to tinsel-town with Christmas lights... I can see why.
Rob and I loaded up Evie in her footie jammies along with hot cocoa to tour the town this Saturday night... Evie almost made it through the 6 houses Rob wanted to see... she konked out on the 6th one. :-)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

SNOW DAY!

Snow days in the South are to be celebrated to the fullest.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words... here's a couple thousands words about today:








Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Evie finally provoked enough to DRAW and not simply color solid colors

Evie, if given blank paper, will either try to cover the entire sheet of paper in one solid color (generally blue or purple if she hasn't already killed those two colors of markers) OR she will color solid blobs using very little of the space provided.
I'm sure this is a developmental stage but I'm also eager for her to stretch out from this point... having been here for at least 6+ months.
Its time to start creating what we see (or hell, even be abstract but please start to move away from the same solidly-coated piece of paper!).
Evie's created circles since last spring although she never creates them unless goaded to do so. We've gotten her to make an occasional face but it involves a lot of "No! No! I don't want to! I can't do it! Wahhhh!" that's so not worth it. Sheesh, this kid hates motivation and forward progress.

So, while at Duncan's 4th birthday party early this December.... she suddenly busts out this on his easel. Who-hoo! AWESOME!
I have half a mind to buy this kid an easel now.... if that's what finally did it.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kickin' Back

17weeks 4Days.

I SWEAR I have felt the baby move despite some people's disbelief. But last night, while laying on my back, in bed, watching TV, hand on my belly.... I felt both the internal and external 1-2-3 punch/kick combo really worth noting.
It's really about the most amazing sensation ever... hands down.

Also noteworthy, got back my test results for Neural Tube Defects/ Spina Bifida... all negative, phew! Up next... finding out what it is!

Thursday, December 09, 2010

16 Wk Check-Up (Well, technically its 17Wks)

Photo taken at 17 weeks.
I had my 16 Week check-up today. Technically I turned 17 Weeks today. I don't think the number of weeks changes the info all that much but I want to be CLOSER TO THE END so let me point out this technicality, mmm-k?

Rob moved things around so that he could attend with me. That was nice especially since we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Things have changed just in the 4 years since I was last pregnant. I think we heard the heartbeat at 12 or 13 weeks. This time we had an ultrasound at that point. She told me what the heartbeat was (I already forgot) but no audio.

Whoosh! Whoosh! I freaked out since the nurse started listening on my left... then a little over to the middle... still nothing... she finally moved lower and heard it. This movement higher up then where the baby is only confirms for me that my belly is bigger than maybe where it should be for only 17 weeks. No, no, I am not claiming I am fat.... but seriously, my belly is bigger than it was last pregnancy! The doctor later felt for my "fundal height" and even he commented how it was already up around my belly button. Hmmmm, big baby? No clue.

My weight is 148lbs. Where the heck was I when this all started? I've either gained 6 or 8lbs so far. Funny how I really don't care nearly as much as I did the first time around. I think I would have if maybe I didn't suffer a miscarriage... details get cast aside for the "big picture" after you've already had a loss.

So the heartbeat was 148-150 beats per minute. Let the guesses on sex begin!

Referring to my post last pregnancy: http://makes-3.blogspot.com/2007/01/boy-or-girl.html
Here's how this pregnancy is so far:

Boy or Girl?
This online quiz says its 58% likely to be a girl.

This Baby Gender Predictor says "Boy!"

This Chinese Lunar Calendar says its a "Girl!"

According to this site (listing many old wivestales):
1. The hair on my legs is growing slow, so its a girl.
2. The heart rate was 148. So, must be a girl.
3. I had almost no morning sickness - so it must be a boy.
4. I think I am carrying high (so far), especially if the doctor commented on the fundal height. So, its a boy.
5. Strings move in a circular motion over my belly - so it must be a girl.
6. I am craving sweets! Must be a girl.Or, duh, I'm pregnant around the holidays. But man, if I had to choose salty over sweets... I might do that... which means, boy.
7. I pee bright yellow... so, it must be a boy.

So, judging by all the above... eh, its a tie?

Well, we FIND OUT in JUST 2 WEEKS!
Set your calendars, everybody. At 3:15PM on Thursday, Dec 23rd... we find out!

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Christmas Tree Shopping



Normally Rob and I have zero decision-making problems. We can both agree on nearly everything ("Do you like this house? Me, too, let's buy it." "How about this car? Yep, I like it, too, let's get it." "I want pizza tonight. Yep, me too, ordering it now."). But this year's tree shopping must have taken at least 20 minutes... and it was freaking COLD!

Either Rob let me win or his brain was frozen cause he eventually said "yes" to my final selection.
At only $30, this Charlie Brown tree called to me. Maybe it was the fact that it was huge and we finally have the space to put up a huge tree in our house (new playroom space that may or may not stay once this next kid gets here). Maybe it was the pregnancy brain that made the selection. In any case, this thing is HUGE!

Nice family pic this year!

A Visit with Santa Claus: "I won't cry, mommy."

So, Evie's been really terrible with this whole on/off shyness she has. I get it, I'm not trying to coax a shy girl into horribly uncomfortable settings... but its when she goes to place like 12 times and still place the mute-new-girl routine that I get a little annoyed. For example: our once-a-week visit to 'The Little Gym' for a class filled with fun music, fellow 3yr olds and padded gym equipment begins with her eagerly getting in the car & singing songs. Once we enter the building, she wants to be held, can't speak or will only participate if a teacher takes her hand and pulls her along. I wouldn't do it if she didn't then tell me how awesome it all was once we get in the car to go home!

Evie also prided herself on not speaking. She didn't speak to her pre-school teacher for 2 whole months. It was awful. We had talks with her and even spoke with other care givers about recommendations. We remained open& honest and tried everything to get her to talk to her. We eventually got letters home from school. She was even starting to get time-outs for refusing to ask for what she wanted (she'd just point and moan!). Ugh.
Somehow, magically, she finally "accidentally" talked to her teacher and it has continued to get better in recent weeks. I shake my head at all of this. Stage or no stage... its getting to be a bit of a problem if she can boldly talk to anyone while in line at the grocery store or anyone who comes over to our house... but can't feel comfortable in a school or in a fun activity filled with kids her age.

OK, so that's the back story.
Today we went to see Santa Claus.
I told Evie last night that we were going to see Santa... hoping the warning would help diffuse any meltdowns the next day. It seemed to work when she told me point blank, " I won't cry, mommy. *whispers in my face* I'm going to talk to Santa!" Cool, I thought.

Evie was excited to put on her dress and tights to go to the mall. So excited, in fact, that she farted while sitting in my lap.
(ah, kids).
I asked, "Do you need to go poo-poo?"
Response, "No."
Rebuttal, "You better go poo-poo now... cause if you fart on Santa's lap... you'll get nothing. Santa won't be happy. *Pause* You better go now."
Momentary contemplation at this, "O.K. [pulls her self up off my lap] I'll go." Off she heads to the bathroom grumbling.
I love how kids can just choose to perform such biological functions when/if they want.

Fast-forward to the car ride.
She told us in the car how she was going to ask for not one but TWO Pillow Pets and how she wanted a new toothbrush (I hope the wish list stays this cheap and short next year). She walked on up to the mall entrance and gasped at the trees in some windows. Then she looked down the hallway and froze up. No idea why... we were no where NEAR Santa yet. Dad carried her to the escalator... there he was down below us... next to a huge snow globe in which we would soon stand waiting in line...

I walked us around the Santaland display and rushed to get in line. The theme was "Polar Express" complete with a fake train car we could stand in (pull levers, a pull whistle and a TV screen of the scenic outdoors passing by) and a snow globe that actually snowed on our heads while we watched snippets of the cartoon movie. It was all very cool. Evie, however, was not. She literally laid in Rob's arms with her arms and legs dangling like a limp body. People in line commented how cute it was she had fallen asleep. She wasn't asleep... she was playing dead. She should know that this trick no longer phases us. Instead we propped her up against the setting as if she were a plastic doll with pose able arms and legs. She rewarded our endeavors with a pitiful sulk... ah, yes, memories!

Finally the big moment was here! We committed to a ridiculous photo package and away she was whisked!
Evie stood clutching Moo-Cow's head against her nose. No tears yet... I waited for it and held my breath.
Santa told her she could stand in front of him if she wanted... she eagerly accepted this resolution and faced the camera.
*click!*
I told her to quickly tell him what she wanted and she stared out my mouth while I spoke. "Tell Santa... that you want.... a... (feeding her the lines isn't working but you could tell she was hoping I would get this part right).... pillow pet for Christmas."
She looed at him and silently nodded.
Santa guessed, "Which one? The.... unicorn?"
Evie nodded.
I think Santa could have said 'tarantula?' and she would have nodded.
I took her hand and off we walked.

We picked up our photos, perused one store and walked to the mall exit. We were off to get lunch next.
We stopped to put on Evie's coat. She looked up at us... it was as if an invisible line had been crossed and now she could speak..., "And I didn't fart on Santa!"

Pre-school photo


Photo taken mid-to-late November (3 yrs 4mos old).

Evie hates anything "portrait studios" and tends to either shut down (quiet and blank stare), bury her face or find the nearest rock to hide under.... someone worked very hard to get this tight-lipped/bit-lipped grimmace out of her.