Quick wit at Four.

Mom:  Girls you need to get your toys put away in your room!

Audrey:  ...Mommmm!!!  Ellie's not helping!!!

Mom:   I will deal with her, you just worry about yourself.

Audrey:   I AM worried about myself. I'm worried I don't have enough people helping me!!!

Touche'

Pickle Juice

 

 I love that with out even planning on it, we both made almost the exact type of faces in each picture.
HAHA!

This little one & I have our own secret language it may seem. 
I give her a look she knows what it means. 
We tell eachother secrets, hers usually are observations about body parts.
I tell her a secret, and it usually has to do with putting pickle juice on her toes while she's sleeping.
She cracks up every time like it's the very first time she's heard me say that.
Like I said, it's a secret funny little language she & I share.

The other night I was giving her a quick one-two check, wiping her little sweet cheeks.  Her head was between my legs and as I'm wiping she says out of no where:

"Thank you Mom, You are a really nice Mommy"

Humbled. Joy. Flattered. Thankful. In Love. Blessed.

Even my best moments can come in the form of wiping a tush.

These are the things we as Mothers think go un-noticed.

Unappreciated.

Thank you Audrey, for noticing.

So much more weakbutt going on

For the record, the following phrases have been said since my last post....

Said to Mommy:

"Can we sing the weakbutt song again?"

(Mommy changes "they are weak but" to "they are weak and"..gets interrupted by..)

"No Mom, sing the weakbutt song!"

(whispering in my ear) "Momma...I have a secret.......... weakbutt."

"Guess what Mom?....weakbutt."

"Mom I'm all done! ...Come wipe my weakbottom please!"

Said to Babysitter:

"Do you know about weakbutt?" (babysitter shyly says, 'what is that?')

(her answer) "Weeeeeakbuuuuutt."

Said to Grandma Lu, after requesting to call her on phone:

"Hi Gramma! ....weakbutt!"

"Can we call Grandpa now and tell him 'weakbutt?'"

I tried the whole "lets say 'bottom' instead" thing, but frankly, it's not a big deal. It's just an innocent simple silly new phrase. The only part that is a tiny bit sad for me is this beautiful song I've sang her the last 3 years of her life has now taken a turn and gone from "soothing & calming" to "makes her want to repeat it and crack up laughing". But I did laugh first, sooo...

It's especially shocking during the most unexpected moments like when an older neighbor stopped by the other day and Audrey wanted to dance for her and with each twirl she would stop and say "Weakbutt!"

You can't with them all, so why not laugh along!

And for the record, I still find it hilarious.

...Jesus Loves Me...

Jesus Loves Me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so,

Little Ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong...

Yes Jesus Loves Me

Yes Jesus Loves Me

Yes Jesus Loves Me

The Bible tells me so...

This song is imprinted on my heart.

It's been a favorite song of mine since I was a child.

It's a simple but personable lesson & reminder of God's Grace upon me, Ginny.

From the time Audrey was fresh out of my safe warm womb I have sang her this lullaby. It's my song just for her. She has been completely calmed by these lyrics in a number of sad hysterical circumstances.

I have fallen asleep singing this on repeat while nursing or rocking baby Audrey.

I highly recommend adopting one song in particular for your child, it is a sort of go-to place where we escape together to anytime, anywhere.

For Ellie, it's been a different song.

Last night was a rough time getting Audrey to fall asleep. Normally she does fine, with the occasional request of an animal she forgot to take with her to bed, or one last potty trip. But every once in awhile she just has some trouble. Of course last nights "trouble" was due to having a few busy days in a row and two days worth of skipping naps...

Eventually I found myself leaning into her bed trying to calm her down and after talking softly for a bit I went right into "Jesus Loves Me".

Her eyes were blinking slower & I thought great! She'd be asleep in no time!

And then...

"Mom, whats 'weak-butt'?"
I tried to explain, but couldn't help but laugh. :)

And for the next few minutes she repeated:

"weak-butt! (giggle giggle)...weak-butt! (giggle giggle)..."

I tried to finish the song but it was no use that time :)

So I laughed and fake-laughed all the way out the door...

I'll be more careful to pause in between particular words next time, but it's still a beautifully simple song with a world of meaning.

Jesus Loves Me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so,

Little Ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong...

Yes Jesus Loves You

Yes Jesus Loves You

Yes Jesus Loves Me

The Bible tells me so...

....And so does the Holy Spirit tell me through nature, my sisters-in-Christ, my Christian & non-Christian friends/family alike, online readings, my neighbors, the world, people I meet, through His plan for my life, through my wonderful loving husband, and the fact that I have been entrusted with two amazing gifts wrapped up in the form of 23 perfectly beautiful pounds & 28 perfectly gorgeous pounds....

And this I know: I know that

I Love Jesus

&

JESUS LOVES ME!

Maybe if we put that toy broom to use...

Every now & then Audrey comes out of her room after her nap and announces:

"Wow, Mom! My house is clean right now!"

Yes, this implies that on an ordinary day things are not, well, as tidy as they could be.

But I so appreciate her grateful attitude when I have tidied things up since she last saw them.

And today, Audrey tells Aaron:

"Daddy, you're a really good ant-squisher"

Adding to his resume: Insect Exterminator, Extraordinaire.

Not Lucky, Blessed #7

We have certainly come a long ways.

Audrey is currently on her 7th time being diagnosed with pneumonia.

The first few times she had it, she would start out with a simple snotty nose and within 12-24 hours be wheezy, taking 60+ breaths per minute (which means she is practically panting), and had refused even the smallest amount of liquid/food turning her weak body into a dehydrated sad little mess.

This time, after 5 full days & nights of snot, a small cough began. That is the tall-tale sign of needing more help than an antihistamine.

In the past she would spend her days as wells as nights 100% in my arms where she'd be in & out of sleeping, crying, and coughing so hard she'd throw up. Just a miserable, sad little mess.

This time she slept soundly all night in her bed, took longer naps than usual, and was happily content drinking juice I'd offer in silly cups, all while watching Toy Story 3, of course.

In the past, when we'd get her into the Dr, she would either be sleeping in my arms out of exhaustion, or scream and moan out of discomfort while being monitored......which always lead to then being sent over to the hospital.

This time I counted her breaths after she had been coughing a bunch, and she was at 62 breaths a minute. I called the Dr. and they said to come in right away. I asked her to continue watching the movie & that I'd pack up. She didn't mind that I was leaving her side, in fact, she called out suggestions "Should we pack Ellie's diapers too? can I bring my soft blankie?.."

In the past, I would walk in with tear stained eyes out of complete exhaustion from being up worrying and caring for her the previous stressful night before. I would rock & try to keep her calm while whispering sweet songs and prayers, all while giving the nurse the evil eye whenever they'd come into the room and say any other name but "AUDREY"...

This time she patiently sat on my lap, and she & I took turns feeding (even more patient) Ellie crackers while she sat in the stroller in front of us. Once we saw our Dr., he politely asked how she was feeling like he always does, and her reply was a tilt of the head, a concerned look and the sweetest little sad voice "I'm not feelin' very good. I have some snots" She also informed the nurse that "I have Asthma. So, I'm not feelin' very good."

In the past they would have to either do what they could with her in my arms, or pry her screaming-self away from me while I tried verbally comforting her as they checked her out.

This time she did exactly (and more!), as they asked of her. She sat like a big girl on the "crinkly paper", as I watched from my chair with Ellie. They diagnosed her with pneumonia right away and decided to opt out of having, yet another, Xray done to prove what they already knew to be true. The nurses came back in to give her two antibiotic shots....

In the past....well....this never goes over very well anytime really.....

She cried and cried and then she was fine and informed everyone "I'm so brave" and told everyone goodbye. We'd be coming back the next day to see how well the medicine worked. The next day she was, again, the perfect patient. Once the nurse, who had been the one to poke her the day before, came into the room she politely, calming, but a hint of quick anxiousness in her voice, informed her:

"I already got a poke-poke yesterday. Sooo... I don't need anymore today!" (Clever girl! :)

The word must have gotten out how cute this 2, going on 20, year old little girl is to inform everyone about her ailments, and instructing them on when and how she should receive (or not receive..), proper medication. Nurses who had never treated us would walk by the room or see us in the hall leaving and come up & talk to her about how she & her "poke-pokes" were feeling.

In the past none of us have gotten any sleep, everything in life gets put on hold and all we can see is her fragile little body getting weaker and weaker, like a very dark cloud with little to no light at the end of the tunnel.

This time, 3 days into antibiotics, and for the 2nd day in a row she says to me "Phew...Im getting pretty sleepy. I'm going to go take a nap now." Tucks herself in, and says goodnight. (!!!)

This time, her sickness began on the eve of Thanksgiving. How fitting.

This time, like all the other times, we give full glory to God alone for choosing to heal her little body.

We. Are. Thankful.

We are thankful to have so much knowledge and wisdom from our past experiences to know how to care for her. We are thankful for our very kind doctor for making all the right decisions towards her care, we are thankful for insurance to cover costs for multiple visits and multiple antibiotic medications. We are thankful she is living in a time of modern medicine, where we are able to praise God that she has had -and been healed of- pneumonia seven times.

We are thankful for all those who pray for her. We are so thankful to see her getting stronger each time, aware of the possibility it may not be the last time we go through this again.

But this time we know for sure, that only God truly knows.

Carrying On

Lately, Audrey is into different "carry" positions. This sounds odd to try to explain, but here we go anyway... Disclosure: These terms are all made-up by Audrey...

There is the "Mommy Carry" = Mommy, or the like, holds child, or the like, in arms.

Sometimes this is in the form of Audrey and our neighbor cat. Other times it is with one stuffed animal holding another. And most often, it is on our way to naptime. But always called "Mommy carry"

We can't fail to mention "Big Baby Carry" = Toy Story 3 is huge around our home lately. If you've seen the creepy (I mean cute...?) "Big Baby" character, you will know that the baby always carries the toys high above it's head. (see it is creepy because you can't tell if it's a boy or girl baby, it doesn't wear clothes...oh yes, and that very disturbing scene in the night when the baby is all alone in the park swinging facing away...blame pixar for your nightmares tonight!!)

And, of course "Fire Fighter Carry" = Big strapping hunk of a tall, dark and handsome man sweeping you off your feet in your distress, carrying you high above his chiseled face draped onto his shoulders as to keep your head above the smoke and....... What? Did I get carried away? Well, I like policemen more anyway..

And really, this means putting Audrey on her (big strapping hunk) Daddy's shoulders and being silly in the living room.

I have been asked on more than one occasion if I could please do "fire fighter carry"! I have brushed it aside, suggesting her Daddy is much better at it, etc, so I could get whatever I was doing done.

And then today, I once again said "no" then added.... "...do you smell that? ....What is that smell?? It smells like somethings burning?... OH NO!!!! It's a FIRE!!!! You better watch out!!!!" And I scooped her little confused body (she had been looking around & sniffing the air..), flung her high up onto my shoulders and we went skipping away, making silly sounds and laughing! She loved it, and frankly, it was easier than I thought!!!!

As I was carefully lowering her back onto the couch, I was half-expecting gratitude, prompt asking for more, maybe even a shoulder massage.... but never something so thought out and logical:

"Mommy, I didn't think you were strong enough....but you were strong enough!!!"

I busted up laughing at the first part of what she said. I suppose I should take the latter part as a compliment.

Uh-oh...my secret's out. I am a powerhouse. Do not cross me in a dark alley!! I might just swing you over my shoulders, make sounds resembling an ambulance and confuse the heck out of you so much you might forget why you were going to rob me!!!

You would be robbing in a dark alley, wouldn't you? If not, I suggest you find another place to meander..

Big Dreams Inherited.

Dream Big Little Girl, Dream Big.

A Big Bright World Awaits You.

You know how we are supposed to teach our children that warm-fuzzy saying "You can be anything you want to be!" ? Well I grew up hearing that. And I grew up believing it! Until my entire family told me otherwise. You see, between the ages of 4-6 I desperately wanted to be a Fire Engine. You read that correctly.

A Fire. Engine.

When the subject of future careers came into play, my little imagination would run wild and I'd burst out with "I'm going to be a fire engine!!"

I didn't want to be.

I didn't wish to be.

I was GOING to be.

For years my family tried to convince me otherwise, and tried to explain what I really meant.

Fools. I knew what I wanted.

Because I was taught I could be anything I wanted, right?

And then came the ripe 'ol age of 6. We were on a family vacation to San Fransisco. While riding a trolley I had the wind blowing my short mushroom-looking haircut, not a care in the world. And then it happened. A LOUD Fire Truck (which, yes, included an engine..) roared past us lights flashing, sirens blaring. I burst into tears and have never spoken of wanting to become anything related to a large red utility truck since that day. I also had a huge fear of loud noises since that fateful day.

Well friends, it seems that our little miss Audrey Lynn has inherited more than just my dark hair, my dark eyes, my sensitivity and my love of french fries. From a very early age she has been terrified of loud noises above a volume of about a two. Terrified. Vacuums is a big one. Public toilets flushing. Any buzzing sound she automatically assumes it's about to turn into a loud angry roar. Blenders, bathroom fans, laundry washers beginning their cycle, kitchen timers, toasters popping...

It runs in the family. Big Time.

When I was little, I remember being at school and getting the heads up that we'd be having a fire drill "sometime today". What an awful thing to tell a child that is scared of loud noises. I would get sick to my stomach & on several occasions I would actually have to go home. On some of my more "brave" days I would be shaky and fearful the entire day, pretending I was either bored or real sleepy with my hair pulled down over my ears and my hands clasping my chin (when actually I had as many fingers as I could get shoved into my ear drums to drown out the sounds of what I was dreading). What was worse was when the teacher would announce it would be "sometime this week". Two, three sometimes FIVE long days would go by and then we'd be told that infact "because of the rain, the fire drill was re-scheduled for next week instead."

Relief and fear all at once.

But this post really isn't about me and my childhood fears. It's about passing on more than just my outward appearance. It's about Audrey and her love of fire engines.

Recently, Audrey informed us that "maybe someday I could be a fire truck!" We laughed and carefully taught her that maybe she could! But she meant she wanted to be a fireman!

(don't even suggest we are not teaching her appropriate gender and politically correct terms. If she is anything like me, she will also inherit a tremendous lack of arm strength and a dislike for smokey places. Therefore, she may never be an actual fire-person..thus leaving it to a man, a fireman.)

And then today. While on a wagon walk this evening with my girls, a fire truck crossed an intersection in front of us, as we waited at the stop sign. Audrey lit up.

"Look Mommy!! A Fire truck!! Maybe someday I will be a fire engine!!"

She didn't say fireman, she didn't even say fire truck. And she didn't say she'd like to be. She said she WILL someday be a fire engine. Although...I am sure once she hears a loud siren she will forever be traumatized like me. But somehow I think the idea of wanting to be whatever she wants to be, including a fire engine, may have also been genetically passed on to her...

(Pssst...With all the Joy you had in saying it, I Believe You.)

Polite Words

We were at my parents for a nice dinner on their patio. After trying to get Audrey to slow down outside, who was on the tail end of a cold (sidenote: Praise the Lord she recovered needing no trip to the hospital!!), and not wanting to flail up her asthma any more, we resumed our play inside. There were some moments of not sharing with her sister, some pushing and some frustrated moments choosing not to listen...which having no nap earlier in the day greatly contributed to. I felt like I was doing little encouraging but constant correction. Audrey felt the same way. And finally...

"Mommy, would you go sit over by Daddy, I don't like having you here anymore."

Me: Audrey. That is not very polite of you to say. (looking back it actually was!)

"Mommy. Would you PLEASE go over & sit by Daddy. I do NOT like having you here anymore."

Me: (desperately trying to hold back my roar of laughter..) Audrey. I do not like it when you tell me what to do. You are not being very kind right not.

"Mommy. (pause) Would you. (pause) Pleeease. (pause) Go over and sit by Daddy now. I really. (pause) Do not like having you here anymore."

My Mom was there with me and she had to look away because she was going to burst into laughter. Which we totally did once Audrey was on to something else. :) SO FUNNY THAT GIRL!!! Oh my goodness. By me using the words "that isn't very polite of you" at first and her correcting herself and instead adding PLEASE right off the bat. Hilarious. :) And honestly, she never once raised her voice or used a bratty tone. Just simply did not want me there anymore and knew just how to resolve that situation. By asking me to leave. :)

Why we didn't have a playdate

I had been looking forward to getting together with 4 other friends and their kids this afternoon, about one hour away from home. So much so that I had Audrey take an earlier nap so that we could get on the road at a decent time & she'd be refreshed and ready for a super fun playdate with friends! It got a little warmer today so I turned on our box standing fan, as well as one in the kitchen. I placed the box one conveniently right outside Audrey's closed door, hoping the sound of the fan would lull her to sleep, as well as prevent her from hearing me bang around in the kitchen trying to make some goodies to share with our friends. She went to sleep beautifully....or so I thought....and after I busied myself up, cared for Ellie, packed our bags & even took a shower, I walked to Audrey's room to wake her up so we could get going. I noticed her light was on and figured she must be awake and had just turned it on. I opened the door & immediately smelled my old friend, poop. Laying pant less, pull-up less and full stomach less was dear Audrey. I gasped when I saw poop inches from her, smashed into her sheet. More was on her beloved favorite blankets on the ground, a few had "rolled" under the bed....and I'd later find more behind the rocking chair and on several favorite animals.

I gasped "Audrey!" She didn't move. She was obviously pooped. Very, very pooped. So I turned off the light and left the room stunned. I called my friend to let her know we couldn't make it. Eventually Poopy McPooperson woke up, and while having a scream fest and many exhausted tears I coaxed her into the bath so I could do my scrubbin thang...

I later asked Audrey to retell me what had happened.... She explains her side of it best:

"I was saying: Mommmmy!! Mommy! I need to go poop! I need to go poop!"

and what did Mommy do?

"You didn't come. I was knocking, Mommy! Mommy!" (this Mommy couldn't hear over the fans...)

Then what did you do?

"I got right back into my bed and took my pull-up off to go poop"

And where did you poop?

"I pooped everywhere. (wasn't THAT the truth!) I pooped in my bed, then I put it on the floor. Then I turned on the light all by myself! I couldn't see my poops. I pooped some more over there & there & there...and there's some too!"

I apologized for not hearing her knock and yell for me, explaining how she did the right thing trying to let me know. I also emphasized key importance's like how we don't touch poops ever, ever, ever...and how she needs to stop pooping, altogether. (just kidding..)

Just another messy day in my life...lots of repeat cycle laundry today & keeping my Mommy confidence composure. And that, among this ridiculous choice for an outfit, is the reason why we couldn't make our playdate today...

Do weary Mommas deteriorate too?

While we were watching the adorable Pixar movie 'Toy Story' the other day, my sweet little verbal lady was listening to the main character "Woody" talk to the other toys. Audrey has seen this movie before, but for some reason she pinpointed a word in a sentence Woody used, and realized she didn't understand what it meant..... (I didn't see this one coming....)

"Mommy, do you know what 'corrosion' means?"

"Well sweetheart--"

This was about the time where my heart started pounding, my brow began to sweat and my mind raced into all the other words, ideas and philosophies that she will soon be asking where I won't know the answer. I can foresee the phrase "Hmm...Lets remember to ask Daddy when he gets home" becoming all too frequent in our future. She's two and a half!! I thought I had years of Mommy-knows-best wisdom ahead of me, looks like we may be down to, what? months?!

Friends, we are getting dangerously close to the day when she ultimately decides for herself that her Mommy doesn't know squat! Until then, I will continue faking it and using my ultra-confident "Mommy" voice to answer questions like these...

"--Woody is talking about the toys breaking. 'Corrosion' means when things break down."

Phew. It wasn't Wikipedia's definition for Corrosion.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrosion

buuuuuut I felt pretty good about how quickly and calmly I came up with my answer.

.......Safe for another day ;)

So that's why I wear make-up!

"That's called 'make-up', it's for your cheeks for when you're happy...

because you don't have a tail to wag."

Juggling

Audrey took two big potatoes out of the bag, threw them into the air & said:

"Just Like Uncle Mike! Let's do Jug-a-war!"

I laughed & watched her pick them back up again, gathering her words better this time & say:

"Look Momma, like Uncle Mike does Jugg-a-lean!"

Uncle Mike is known for many funny tricks, silly sayings and of course his juggling expertise. And, by Audrey's inspiration, we will be having some very mashed potatoes tonight.... ;)

Play-Doh how I love thee

Upon finishing a story about friends...

Momma: You have lots of friends Audrey! Who are some of your friends?

Audrey: Ellie....Lucy.....................and Play-doh.

Alright, we all need to start getting out more.

Going to the store

I helped her put on her coat tonight because she

"needed to go to the store."

I asked if she needed money to buy things and she said

"I just need my purse right here"

I asked if she would please remember to buy some milk

"Sure, I'll get milk and some other things...."

....

"Do you want me to just pour you tea instead?"

Sure hunny, thank you.

Most stores have a no shoes, no pants policy anyway.

tome-a-toe / tome-ah-toe

Audrey was helping me clean out my closet the other day....we were also working on our colors. Her job was to hand me certain color hangers when I'd ask for them. She felt very proud of herself when she would go through the stack and hand me the black one when asked, the white one when asked...etc... Then came her adorable verbal skills....

Play Pull Momma?

No that one is a purple hanger.

Play pull?

That's close! It's "pur-ple" Can you try it?

Play pull.

Try it again sweetheart, "pur-ple....purrrr-ple"

No, play pull Mommy! Play pull, please?

Oooohhhh!!!!! You want to "Play Pull"!

(Duh, Mommy..she was saying it the entire time!)

Yeah!!! Play Pull! :)

Play pull in Audrey's world is the silly game we play when we tug at something and each take turns saying "pullllllllll!!!" We then began playing tug-a-war with the purple hanger....giggles galore. I'm realizing sometimes as a Momma I need to put aside my teaching moments and truly listen to what my children are saying...

Purple -- Play Pull! :)

Words..

"Mommy! My bottom doesn't work!"

--Audrey Lynn, age 2.

Believe it or not, the above statement had nothing to do with her potty skills. She was actually situating herself on top of a full laundry basket and when she couldn't manuever her own little self the way she wanted to fit inside, she came to THAT conclusion... I thought the adorableness should be noted. :)

Popping Tums

"I spit up, Mommy. I spit up on floor. See it?"

Yes, I have seen your "output" several, several times in the past few days. Poor Baby. Get well soon, we've got to party hardy soon for your SECOND Birthday!!!

PS Have I earned enough "sick leave" hours? I'd really like to take a day off. Being a Mommy to a sick child & a growing, hungry baby is hard. Even harder with my own fever now.

I am VERY thankful for all the days through out the year that we are all very healthy!!!

Eyes in Recovery

Adding to Audrey's list of "Funny new things I can say"

--She found an empty contact case, I put a few drops of water in it to satisfy her love of water, and for some reason she related it to medicine (since we were in the bathroom maybe??). She opened it up and splashed water onto her eyelids...

"My eyes are sick. I need medicine, make Audie feel better."

Ebby buddy dancing!

"Audie like dancing..."

one at a time she picks up nearby "friends"

"bunny you wanna dance?

...baby you wanna dance?

...dis baby dancing too?

...come on Millie, we dance toget-her."

proudly holding all of her friends in her arms...

"Ebby buddy dancing!!!!" :)

on an adorable side note..........

I wanted to put it on record that my husband, Aaron, the ultra masculine, man's man who, on occasion dresses in full on camo, coming home with leftover war paint smeared across his face & carrying more ammo & guns than most people would be aware of...

elite member of the Oregon State Swat team...

by request of his oldest precious daughter, put

pigtails in her hair today.

I won't mention this to the guys................Many more to come, sweetheart :) I meant pigtail requests...not girls... although we ARE on track with the Silva 4 ;)
Also on record....he did a GREAT job with her hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!