He decided to take Celie outside so she wouldn't be lazy.
They gathered what snow might be left on the ground.
To create their first snowman to show all around.
It wasn't very big - actually quite small
But the best snowman so far this fall.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Celie & Bob's first Snowman
'Twas the day after Thanksgiving when Bob was going stir crazy.
He decided to take Celie outside so she wouldn't be lazy.
They gathered what snow might be left on the ground.
To create their first snowman to show all around.
It wasn't very big - actually quite small
But the best snowman so far this fall.
He decided to take Celie outside so she wouldn't be lazy.
They gathered what snow might be left on the ground.
To create their first snowman to show all around.
It wasn't very big - actually quite small
But the best snowman so far this fall.
Our Tiny Dancer
Dance class has been a challenge for Celie. She doesn't like to listen to what the instructor is saying. She wants me to be in class with her. She makes in hard for me to want to keep taking her back, but I do because I know it is good for her and me.
Tonight, I had to take Anna with us because Bob is off hunting. So, Anna was the perfect excuse for me not to go into the class with her. That sort of worked - but she still came to the waiting area - she banged on the glass to make Anna laugh. It was definitely trying - not only the Celie part, but also to keep Anna entertained while trying to have some kind of coherent adult conversation with the other parents.
In the nights prior, I had just dressed her in leggings and a t-shirt. She does have dance shoes thanks to her cousin Makayla. As I was going through some boxes to re-organize and pack and store, I came across a leotard from Makayla. So, I thought that and tights would put Celie in the mood to dance. I don't know if it really did - but she did look pretty cute in it - stocky as all get out - not necessarily a ballerina build - but she can boogie with the best of them. Just ask her to shake her tail feathers.
Here are pics prior to class in her outfit.
Tonight, I had to take Anna with us because Bob is off hunting. So, Anna was the perfect excuse for me not to go into the class with her. That sort of worked - but she still came to the waiting area - she banged on the glass to make Anna laugh. It was definitely trying - not only the Celie part, but also to keep Anna entertained while trying to have some kind of coherent adult conversation with the other parents.
In the nights prior, I had just dressed her in leggings and a t-shirt. She does have dance shoes thanks to her cousin Makayla. As I was going through some boxes to re-organize and pack and store, I came across a leotard from Makayla. So, I thought that and tights would put Celie in the mood to dance. I don't know if it really did - but she did look pretty cute in it - stocky as all get out - not necessarily a ballerina build - but she can boogie with the best of them. Just ask her to shake her tail feathers.
Here are pics prior to class in her outfit.
Turken for Thanksgiving
What does one fix for Thanksgiving dinner when you have an ill equipped kitchen with a double oven that could only fit a couple of cornish hens - a Turken - Or my rendition of a Turducken. I have tried a turducken in the past and found that the duck portion of it really didn't turn out that well - so this time, I opted to omit the duck part.
So, Wednesday night Aunt Sue and I wrangled Tom and Chuck and their appropriate stuffings and set him up to roast - low and slow. We started him at 11:30 pm and he was done at 11:45 am. He might not have been the prettiest bird in town, but boy was he tasty. How did I manage such a feat with a dinky oven? Thank goodness for a plug in roaster. It works wonders on turkey and anything large. Phew.
Here is tom & chuck prior to roasting.
Here is Tom & Chuck being cut up and served up on a platter. Can you see the layers? They are a little obscure.
So, Wednesday night Aunt Sue and I wrangled Tom and Chuck and their appropriate stuffings and set him up to roast - low and slow. We started him at 11:30 pm and he was done at 11:45 am. He might not have been the prettiest bird in town, but boy was he tasty. How did I manage such a feat with a dinky oven? Thank goodness for a plug in roaster. It works wonders on turkey and anything large. Phew.
Here is tom & chuck prior to roasting.
Here is Tom & Chuck being cut up and served up on a platter. Can you see the layers? They are a little obscure.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Hip Check Up
Yesterday, Bob and I took both Cecilia and Anna to the Orthopaedic Surgeon here in Ohio. I was a little concerned as we entered the waiting room because there seemed to be A LOT of people. We have experienced 4-5 hour waits in the past and do not like to subject the girls to that. At least the front desk notified us that there would be an extended wait - 30 60 minutes. Bummer - but hopefully, I had brought along enough snacks and bottles to keep everyone occupied.
After going through most of the snacks, we were called back into the room. We had started to break out the portable DVD player - so we had to continue it in the room. I gave the nurse Celie and Anna's X-rays and a letter that our old Surgeon had written about Celie's condition. We met with the Dr and then an Xray technician came in the room to let us know that he was ready for us. Both girls needed x-rays. Here is where the challenge came in. Once Celie saw the room, she freaked out, then Anna became weary of what was going on. Arghh!! I took Anna, changed her diaper and got her ready for her x-rays. After several tries and her beginning to cry uncontrollably, it was Celie's turn. She began crying the moment she went in. Thank goodness Bob was there to help hold her down. For me, it was torture to here her inside and not be able to do anything about it. It is still hard for her to understand that this is necessary and that she will have to do this every 6 months at least until she is 18 years old. The same for Anna.
After the x-rays were ready for viewing - all digital (very nice). The Dr. showed us what was going on. Anna's hips are still shallow. Her left pocket is better than her right - but both will need to be watched. She doesn't have any dislocation - just shallow hips. She might have to have surgery when she is 4 but they will determine that when she is 2. So, it is a wait and see game. Celie's hip is doing o.k. It is measuring right at 30 degrees. So, we will definitely have to watch that one as well. She might have to have another surgery at some point. But again, it is a wait and see game.
It was a little disheartening to hear the news about both girls. However, we are blessed with two very smart and beautiful (yes we are biased) girls. And these problems are fixable. It was as evident at the clinic yesterday, but after our many visits to Mott's, Bob and I keep reminding ourselves - it is fixable. For so many kids at Mott's, things aren't as fixable. We are blessed.
After going through most of the snacks, we were called back into the room. We had started to break out the portable DVD player - so we had to continue it in the room. I gave the nurse Celie and Anna's X-rays and a letter that our old Surgeon had written about Celie's condition. We met with the Dr and then an Xray technician came in the room to let us know that he was ready for us. Both girls needed x-rays. Here is where the challenge came in. Once Celie saw the room, she freaked out, then Anna became weary of what was going on. Arghh!! I took Anna, changed her diaper and got her ready for her x-rays. After several tries and her beginning to cry uncontrollably, it was Celie's turn. She began crying the moment she went in. Thank goodness Bob was there to help hold her down. For me, it was torture to here her inside and not be able to do anything about it. It is still hard for her to understand that this is necessary and that she will have to do this every 6 months at least until she is 18 years old. The same for Anna.
After the x-rays were ready for viewing - all digital (very nice). The Dr. showed us what was going on. Anna's hips are still shallow. Her left pocket is better than her right - but both will need to be watched. She doesn't have any dislocation - just shallow hips. She might have to have surgery when she is 4 but they will determine that when she is 2. So, it is a wait and see game. Celie's hip is doing o.k. It is measuring right at 30 degrees. So, we will definitely have to watch that one as well. She might have to have another surgery at some point. But again, it is a wait and see game.
It was a little disheartening to hear the news about both girls. However, we are blessed with two very smart and beautiful (yes we are biased) girls. And these problems are fixable. It was as evident at the clinic yesterday, but after our many visits to Mott's, Bob and I keep reminding ourselves - it is fixable. For so many kids at Mott's, things aren't as fixable. We are blessed.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Celie's 1st Dance Class
Since Bob was VERY groggy from his trip back home - I took Celie to her first dance class. I didn't take my camera with me because I didn't want to be one of "those" moms. She was very shy even though she knew one girl in her class. She liked looking in the big mirror, but she freaked out a little bit. I had to go in the class with her. She didn't follow the directions very well, so I had to help her with her warm up and her various dance moves. She has the potential to learn a lot. But it was good that I was in class with her because now I can help her with her moves and we can practice before next week. She started warming up toward the end. I do not think that it helped that she just woke up from a 2 hour nap right before leaving for the class.
Hopefully, next week will be better. It is very fun to watch all of the girls dance around in their tights. We will continue to post her progress. It can only get better. Hopefully.
Hopefully, next week will be better. It is very fun to watch all of the girls dance around in their tights. We will continue to post her progress. It can only get better. Hopefully.
Snowing in OH
I thought that maybe the winter blast of weather wouldn't come so soon to OH. Boy, I was wrong. We are definitely trying out the heat pump for the house these last couple of days. It definitely is wintery feeling weather. The leaves are dropping quickly with each rustle of the wind and we actually have some white fluffly snowflakes f
allin
g fr
om the sky.
3.+
I hope that things won't stick. But we will see. I hope we can find the scrappers and the shovels.
(the odd spacing and extra's in this post are courtesy of Anna - trying to help me type).
allin
g fr
om the sky.
3.+
I hope that things won't stick. But we will see. I hope we can find the scrappers and the shovels.
(the odd spacing and extra's in this post are courtesy of Anna - trying to help me type).
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Tiny Dancers
I am not the type of person that thinks our girls should be in a bazillion activities that require careful coordination and precise timing like a synchronized swim team. My goodness, they are only 3 yrs old & 13 months - but the potential for them to be in a lot of activities is huge. I, quite frankly, was hoping to slide on by until Pre-school. However, many of the preschools in this area require potty trained 3+ year olds and ours isn't quite there yet. So, what is a mother to do? Well, I have found a class for Celie to take at the local Arts Center - Tiny Dancers. Yes, that is right. Celie will be taking a dance class that starts this Monday. She will be joining other 3 year olds and shaking their little bodies, probably more like moving around in a semi controlled chaos state. Bob will be back from India on Monday, so I am sure that we will be fighting over who gets to take her. She will know one other little girl in her class. I hear it is hilarious to watch them. I can't wait. I just hope that she has fun. I am concerned about Celie not wanting to interact with other kids. Time will tell.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
I wanted to do really cool costumes for the girls for halloween, but with the move and such, I just could find the stuff I needed to make it happen. So, I went for easy. Buying wings and dressing the girls in all black. Celie was a butterfly and Anna was a ladybug.
We set out trick or treating in our neighborhood with Grandma Ostroski. Anna was in the wagon with her cooler of treats and Celie set out on foot (in the beginning - she ended up in the wagon at the end). We ended up going to the end of the cul-de-sac at the end of our street and back up. That was enough for the girls.
Anna and Grandma came inside and had something to eat while Celie and I went to say Hi to Ellyn and Annie that live in our neighborhood, but about 1/2 mile away - so we drove over. Celie and Annie were meeting for the first time. Ellyn's husband works with Bob. So, it is nice to know some other people in the neighborhood. Annie and Celie will be in the same dance class together too.
Here are pictures of our butterfly on Halloween. If they are blurry, it is because she was flying.
We set out trick or treating in our neighborhood with Grandma Ostroski. Anna was in the wagon with her cooler of treats and Celie set out on foot (in the beginning - she ended up in the wagon at the end). We ended up going to the end of the cul-de-sac at the end of our street and back up. That was enough for the girls.
Anna and Grandma came inside and had something to eat while Celie and I went to say Hi to Ellyn and Annie that live in our neighborhood, but about 1/2 mile away - so we drove over. Celie and Annie were meeting for the first time. Ellyn's husband works with Bob. So, it is nice to know some other people in the neighborhood. Annie and Celie will be in the same dance class together too.
Here are pictures of our butterfly on Halloween. If they are blurry, it is because she was flying.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Painter
We were trying to distract Celie away from wanting to watch another Disney movie (there is only so much preparation you can do for an upcoming Walt Disney Trip), so I asked if she wanted to paint. She said yes. So, I gathered supplies, thinking that she would only want to dip the brush in a few of the paints and not mix them. (this was from previous experience with our last painting episode) Well, times have changed because not only was she into mixing the colors but she was also ready to use her hands (See the hand prints that she did on various pieces of paper). I think she definitely is into abstract art.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
It's Finally Ours
We signed the papers on Friday, so the house is officially ours. YEAH!!!
So, now we can really rip down wallpaper (I had already started so it was a good thing that the deal went through!) and work on replacing windows and the kitchen. We have some contractors giving us estimates, so we are just waiting to hear back from them.
The house will probably be in different states of disarray for awhile, but that is o.k. Eventually, it will all come together. I am just working on one room at a time.
So, now we can really rip down wallpaper (I had already started so it was a good thing that the deal went through!) and work on replacing windows and the kitchen. We have some contractors giving us estimates, so we are just waiting to hear back from them.
The house will probably be in different states of disarray for awhile, but that is o.k. Eventually, it will all come together. I am just working on one room at a time.
First Steps
Anna took her first step last night. There will be no holding her back now.
She has been cruising around the furniture a lot more - pulling herself up and then oh, so carefully, plopping herself down, when she wants to speed away crawling to another part of the house. We call her Quick Crawl McGraw - because she is lightening fast.
She has been standing on her own. She will pull herself up to standing position by using your fingers and then she will let go. She stands there with her arms spread out and then gets the biggest grin on her face. She usually starts cracking herself up and then plops to the ground. Only to grab onto your fingers again for another round.
We will see if she continues with her attempts to walk. I think it may come in go - especially since she knows she is much quicker crawling.
She has been cruising around the furniture a lot more - pulling herself up and then oh, so carefully, plopping herself down, when she wants to speed away crawling to another part of the house. We call her Quick Crawl McGraw - because she is lightening fast.
She has been standing on her own. She will pull herself up to standing position by using your fingers and then she will let go. She stands there with her arms spread out and then gets the biggest grin on her face. She usually starts cracking herself up and then plops to the ground. Only to grab onto your fingers again for another round.
We will see if she continues with her attempts to walk. I think it may come in go - especially since she knows she is much quicker crawling.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bob Goes to India
Yes that is right folks. Bob has been on the job for just over a month and they are sending him to India to present at a conference. He will be leaving in a few days and be gone for a week.
"I am excited about being able to contribute to the company right away, but I am a little nervous about traveling 1/2 way around the world," says Bob. Kelly is a little nervous about his trip too. "I am a little sad that he will miss us trick or treating, but hopefully, the week will go by quickly," stated Kelly.
It is amazing all of the hoops and such Bob has had to go through to get everything in order for his trip. He had to expedite his passport, ask for a Visa from the Indian Consulate, and get a bunch of antibiotics and immunizations to go to India.
Kelly is working on getting her passport in order so that the next time he has to go somewhere, she can go too. Hopefully, it will be to Europe.
"I am excited about being able to contribute to the company right away, but I am a little nervous about traveling 1/2 way around the world," says Bob. Kelly is a little nervous about his trip too. "I am a little sad that he will miss us trick or treating, but hopefully, the week will go by quickly," stated Kelly.
It is amazing all of the hoops and such Bob has had to go through to get everything in order for his trip. He had to expedite his passport, ask for a Visa from the Indian Consulate, and get a bunch of antibiotics and immunizations to go to India.
Kelly is working on getting her passport in order so that the next time he has to go somewhere, she can go too. Hopefully, it will be to Europe.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Scenic Pictures
Above, during our drive in the Brecksville Reservation. Below, a tranquil meadow amongst the trees in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near our house.
What a Weekend!
We had, almost, the most perfect weekend. We could not believe it.
On Saturday, Bob, the girls, and myself decided that we had worked on the house too much and that work wasn't going anywhere. It was time for us to seize the moment. So, we packed up plenty of snacks and diapers and went for a ride.
We first decided to brave the elements and go to Peninsula, a neighboring town, for lunch. We do not go out for meals often because Cecilia doesn't always behave very well. But we are trying to be more adventurous and time the meals better. We went to Fischer's, which is a great little restaurant/pub. We had a great lunch and both girls were awesome. That is definitely a positive.
On our way back to the house - we decided to be even more adventurous and drive around Cuyahoga Valley National Park - which is right next to our neighborhood. We found some very scenic drives and ended up in the Brecksville Reservation. We drove through the reservation and ended up at the Community Center. By this time, both girls were sleeping, so we woke them up and they discovered that they were at a BIG park. It was a lot of fun. Celie had a great time. Of course, she didn't want to leave. Even a bribe of ice cream didn't work, at first. Then, she decided that she had had enough and wanted ice cream. We climbed back in the car and headed for Dairy Queen. Celie sat and ate her ice cream without incident. Anna didn't want any. Bob and I enjoyed ours as well.
We came home and decided it was too nice to go inside. Bob decided to rake leaves. Celie and Anna got into it as well. Finally, it was 3:30pm - Anna was getting ready for a nap and Bob wanted to watch OSU. Bob and Celie watched football while I made dinner. After dinner we read books and went to bed.
On Sunday, we packed up the car, again, and headed to the farm. We hadn't been down there since all of the renovations on the log cabin. It is looking great. Bob's great Aunt Alice, her daughter Joanne, and cousin, Mitzy came down from the Cleveland area as well. Aunt Shirley and Viv came over too. We all had lunch and the girls had fun exploring the gravel pile. It was a very long day, the end to a long, but wonderful weekend.
On Saturday, Bob, the girls, and myself decided that we had worked on the house too much and that work wasn't going anywhere. It was time for us to seize the moment. So, we packed up plenty of snacks and diapers and went for a ride.
We first decided to brave the elements and go to Peninsula, a neighboring town, for lunch. We do not go out for meals often because Cecilia doesn't always behave very well. But we are trying to be more adventurous and time the meals better. We went to Fischer's, which is a great little restaurant/pub. We had a great lunch and both girls were awesome. That is definitely a positive.
On our way back to the house - we decided to be even more adventurous and drive around Cuyahoga Valley National Park - which is right next to our neighborhood. We found some very scenic drives and ended up in the Brecksville Reservation. We drove through the reservation and ended up at the Community Center. By this time, both girls were sleeping, so we woke them up and they discovered that they were at a BIG park. It was a lot of fun. Celie had a great time. Of course, she didn't want to leave. Even a bribe of ice cream didn't work, at first. Then, she decided that she had had enough and wanted ice cream. We climbed back in the car and headed for Dairy Queen. Celie sat and ate her ice cream without incident. Anna didn't want any. Bob and I enjoyed ours as well.
We came home and decided it was too nice to go inside. Bob decided to rake leaves. Celie and Anna got into it as well. Finally, it was 3:30pm - Anna was getting ready for a nap and Bob wanted to watch OSU. Bob and Celie watched football while I made dinner. After dinner we read books and went to bed.
On Sunday, we packed up the car, again, and headed to the farm. We hadn't been down there since all of the renovations on the log cabin. It is looking great. Bob's great Aunt Alice, her daughter Joanne, and cousin, Mitzy came down from the Cleveland area as well. Aunt Shirley and Viv came over too. We all had lunch and the girls had fun exploring the gravel pile. It was a very long day, the end to a long, but wonderful weekend.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Assistant Chef
We decided to make some cupcakes for Bob to take to work tomorrow. Celie did a great job of helping me mix the batter. I let her lick the bowl. That thing was so clean, I almost didn't put it in the dishwasher. Just kidding. I can't wait to see what she will look like we put the frosting and sprinkles on. I will post pics if there as good as this.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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