Trip

Starting tomorrow we will have blog hiatus as the Noll girls head up to the mitten.  I'm sure I will have all kinds of great things to write about upon returning.  Look out mitten, here we come!

Happy (yesterday) birthday Auntie Nick!!!!!!!!!

My little Clara-belle, you are almost one year old. On Sunday, you will be 11 months old, and to me that might as well be one year. All of the sudden, you just look older. You aren't so pocket-sized anymore, you're finally in 9-12 month clothing, and they are so different.
You crack us all up with your constant smiles and laughter. And oooooh the laughter. Since you had your ear tubes in, your laughter is amazing. You have always been happy, but now you are ecstatic. Your laughter shakes the walls it is so loud. My favorite part, is when you wake up. You are up, we hear you, but when we go get you you bury your head in our shoulders and shut your eyes tight against the light. Does it hurt your eyes that badly? Or is it just so cozy to snuggle down in there? You still manage to smile though. That Clara smile that peaks out from the corner of your mouth, with your eyes scrunched up so tight.
Another way I know you're busy growing, is that you are eating constantly! There are times you just can't get enough! Especially your bottles, ooh you love that milk! You have taken nicely to formula which you get every now and then, but thank goodness for that giant freezer we bought to store all of that liquid gold that I so busily made for you for 10 1/2 months! That seems to still be your favorite.
I must say, I've never seen a baby stuff their mouth quite as well as you do. You don't just eat, you inhale. Macaroni and cheese doesn't stand a chance againt the fistfuls you attack it with, the same with your staple -- Cheerios. You have made it quite clear, that most baby food is becoming off limits. You still don't mind theh spaghetti mix and the lasagna mix, but you don't want anything to do with those vegetable mixtures, you just want the real thing. (Although I was told today that the other day when I sent some baby food to school that had peas in it, that you ever so carefully masticated each bite of food and then promptly popped each pea that was in there out of your mouth. patooey -- there went a pea, plop -- there went another. I haven't seen that, but maybe that explains why the floor looks like it does after you are finished eating....
Finally, Clara, my favorite thing that you do right now is wave. You wave good night, you wave hello. You wave furiously at your cuteness in the mirror. You wave at the computer each time we sit down, thinking that someone will be there waiting to talk to you.
We love you Clara, keep growing, I can't wait for you first birthday I know it'll be here before we know it.

Disgusting!

And please keep in  mind, that when I say disgusting, I am speaking from the perspective of a mother of two children under 4 years old...therefore, disgusting is going to involve something mushy and directly having to do with the body.

So, here we go.

Clara, as I have said before, is a really easy baby.  Even with all of her ear issues, her main reasons for fussing involve being hungry, poopy or really tired.

I was just getting ready to start making dinner -- chicken, cheese and mushroom quesadillas with refried beans if you please.  I had Clara playing in the other room, after being fussy for a little while.  I had Greta drawing pictures, after being under my feet for quite a while.  Chris was working on the thresholds of the doorways to finish off the kitchen.  My point is, all was good, everyone was occupied and I could get started.

No sooner had I turned on the stove burner, when Greta lets out a blood curdling cry.  It sounded like pain, my mind raced.  She was just writing with a pen...I didn't hear a bump...did Clara bite her, that's never happened before...is there blood, could she have gotten some scissors...what could be wrong?  It's like a million scenarios all in one, lives flashing before my eyes, first aid strategies rolled through my brain....

In 5 large strides I'm in front of Greta.  She's standing there, with her arms and hands outstretched to the side, if she hadn't been screaming it would've looked like she had just finished the latest dance routine for the Rockettes.  Clara was sitting on the floor busily inspecting a piece of paper.  Wait a minute, I thought.  What is that?  Directly in Greta's lap, did Greta throw up?  Oh no, my mind said "that's so gross, I do not want to clean up" at the same time it was saying, "oh poor Greta".  (Trust me, all of this only took like 30 seconds max!)  

And then, it hit me.  And I really started laughing.  And Greta started crying louder. 

 And I look from Greta, to Clara and noticed that the stuff on Greta's lap is distinctly baby-bum shaped.

  And as I look to Clara, there it is.  The rest of the poop like The Blob oozing out of her diaper and up her back.  I guess Greta went over to try to pick her up, and ended up with a lapful.  Oh it was terribly disgusting, and the clean up was tricky, but I have to admit I laughed the entire time.  Chris wasn't quite as amused as I was, and Greta was definitely stressed by the whole thing.

And so, if I had just taken a moment to think about the three reasons why Clara was fussy, this wouldn't have happened.  By hindsight is always 20/20, and in this case, the hindsight was pretty darn funny.  

And disgusting, I told you.  

Now I must go finish the laundry.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Greta, I'd like to tell you a few things.

All of the sudden, you are growing up really fast.  The past few days, I have watched you in your deep concentration, first studying and then practicing the fine art of snapping your fingers.  You practiced, you asked questions, you manipulated my fingers and then had me manipulate yours to show you the intricate process.  I couldn't believe how hard you worked to accomplish this, and your hard work paid off.  Today, as you were showing me how you were practicing, there it was.  That faint snapping sound made by the cutest little fingers around.  I was so impresseed!  So proud!  I cheered.  Actually, I feel like you felt I was being a little weird for being so excited.  It was the first "mom, chill out" face you have ever given me.  It made me feel so...momish.  Hmmm, maybe I better go buy that age rewind makeup I looked at in the store, I know there will be many more looks where that came from.  

So now, Greta, the question is...you're great at snapping, but can you do that while you chew gum?  You have just be inducted into the world of gum.  I wasn't sure you were old enough, but it seems like you are.  You are an excellent gum chewer.  You don't snap or smack your mouth, you chew nicely with your mouth closed.  You savor your gum.  The first few times you had gum you asked great questions such as, "how do we know when to spit the gum out" and "how long are you supposed to chew this for".  It was so honest, so cute, and so true!  You don't seem to mind what flavor you chew, although you did ask me where the "pink gum" was the other day.  I have a feeling you prefer that simply because of the color though.  Just one thing about the gum though, Greta.  You know Daddy will give you whatever you want, however, there is no reason you need to be chewing gum at 6:15 in the morning, whether you have eaten breakfast or not.  

(And yes, everyone, it's sugarless!)

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day

First, I'd like to give a nod to the anniversary of the telephone (established March 10, 1876) and the first paper money issued (March 10, 1862). What an important day March 10 is!

A fact I found interesting, is that children's author Bill Martin, Jr, author of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom as well as other cute books, did not learn to read until he was in college!!!! I am amazed 1) that he made it to college and 2) that he made it through school in general -- how did that happen and 3) here he is, an AUTHOR. There's hope for me yet. I wish he was still alive, I'd love to pick his brain and learn more about his scholastic achievements. March 20th is his birthday, so why don't we all just whisper a little posthumous Happy B-day to him.

Another March 20th anniversary is that of anesthetia. In light of the ear surgery yesterday, and the wonderful epidural I had while giving birth to Clara, I'd like to say thanks to this superior invention.

And now, the best part about March 20th -- today is Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Now, at first part of me wanted to say 'well, what day isn't'. But the whole point of this day is that CampFire USA, which is one of the largest youth development orgnizations in the US, encourages adults to write a letter to a child in their life to tell children how special they are and how much they mean to them. So pick up your pen, dust off you keyboard, or whip out a crayon and start writing. Look for a blog to help celebrate this day in the near future.

Tube Day!

It would've been like walking into a living room on an early, dark evening, except it was early morning and there was a reception area and the faint aura of sterilization everywhere.  Yet there was also a sense of comraderie and belonging as we sat down, smiled and nodded to others in the u-shaped seating arrangement.  Everyone was there for a reason, and no one really wanted to be there.  Some were there for support, some offered prayers, others were the ones the other people were there for.  There was a lot of waiting, but above all, there were just so many smiles.  Perhaps that is why it was so easy for Clara to look around, and in all her cherubic cuteness, just smile at everyone and wave.  She waved to the ladies to her left: great big healthy looking ladies, whose chuckles came from deep within and whose smiles pushed large cheeks to touch each ear.  They oohed and ahhhed and cooed over every bit of Clara.  Not to stop there, Clara scanned the small gathering and raised a hand the other way, offering her grunt to say hi and a smile that only she does using every muscle in her face.  You could feel her own the room, and the room appreciated the her taking it over.  It took everyone's mind off the wait, and whatever future task was at hand.

Once we were called back in to the pre-op area, Clara continued to smile and wave, smile and wave.  Not like a princess, she wasn't in a parade and not quite like a politician trying to buy votes.  It was a sincere greeting, eager to interact with each face and get a response, and hopefully a wave in return.  We snuggled and hugged and kissed and cuddled until it was time to say 'see you soon'.  

And before I could even warm up the chair in the waiting room, there I was snuggling my baby again.  And a half day later, the smiles and the grunts and the coos and the waves are even stronger than before.

In other notes:

Clara did great.  Even though she woke up immediately from the anesthesia, she didn't want to open her eyes for a while.  The nurses thought it was funny though, because she was fussy and kicking and moving around just fine.  She took a while, but gulped down a healthy 6 oz bottle of milk and then we were discharged.  We were in the office a total of 110 minutes.  The nurse that Clara had was a mom of a student I had last year, we saw Greta's teacher last year from her school, and then someone else we knew whose child was also getting tubes that day.  Such a small town....

In case I don't get a chance to say anything more interesting today, keep Clara in your thoughts tomorrow as she has her ear tubes put in. It sounds like it should be pretty uneventful, the worst part is she can't eat/drink after midnight, and surgery might not be until 7:45 at the latest. I will blog tomorrow when we are at home and she is doing well.

Is it April yet?

Make way Mitten! Noll down South is coming for a visit. Well, some of us anyway.

Yup, the Southern Belles (yeah right) are heading North, 2 weeks from today. We are looking forward to some great times, but our calendar is already packed with things to do! How does that happen so fast? I guess we are so lucky to have many wonderful people to see.

Greta is excited to go to Michigan, and often lists all of the people she will see there. (Aunty Nick is included in that list, Greta thinks she lives at 'Nana's house'. I really didn't think I need to try to explain where Indianapolis is, so Nick -- you live in Michigan.) I told her we would go in April. (Again, not explaining the last day of March.) Consequently, Greta will ask daily "Is it April yet? It's taking forever to get here." "April is taking a really long time." Poor girl, I know she's confused. I showed her a calendar this morning, and we marked off the days in March that have already passed. She knows her days of the week fairly well, so I told her each evening we will mark off another day until we get to the day we leave. Maybe that will help, I don't know.

So, as we wait for April to crawl its way here...it would be great if you could work on keeping that nice weather you've been having around a little bit. I asked for snow during Christmas, I sort of got my wish -- just on arrival day instead of Christmas day. If you could maybe work it out so that it issunny and spring-like, that would be great. In the meantime, we'll just cross off our days and wait for "April".

Superstar

Well hello there everyone.  

Kiss kiss, mwah!

From Clara on a Bad Morning

I don't really know what's wrong

I just feel the need to cry.

To stretch opne my mouth

and let out a sound

and let the tears drop from my eyes.

It could be my teeth

trying to push their way through,

it could be my ears with their fluid and goo.

It could be some growing pains

coursing through me,

it could be a diaper rash

no one can see.

I don't know what's wrong,

someone hold me tight.

Help me to know that

I'll be alright.

A snuggle, a pat and a kiss on the cheek

might help my tears and stop the leak.

Hold me tight, rub my back

I feel a sob coming on

Whatever you do, please don't put me down!

A kiss and a bear hug

it's about time.

I'm feeling much better

I will be just fine.

Sometimes I don't know

why I feel like I do

But I know all I need

is more snuggling from you.

(and one more thing mom...

stop taking pictures,

enough put it down.

Hold me and hug me,

get me up off the ground!)

Patient Cat, Naked Chef

I'm so proud of Paisley (the cat).
I honestly would never have expected

her to be so tolerant.

Nothing like baking cookies in your
underwear (and an apron to keep your

tummy clean).

spring

Just thought I'd share the first buds

of spring with you.  

I'm not sure what kind of tree this is,

it looks lovely in our backyard for a month

or so, then isn't too spectacular.
Random bulbs in odd places 

I keep saying I'm going to move and 

then don't....
I guess I could've picked some

of the pinestraw out for presentation.

so aggravating

It was just about 2 hours ago, when a certain 3 1/2 year old I knew...while ignoring what became pleas to clean up some toys before dinner so boldly stated "I KNOW already, stop aggravating me".  I have to admit, I did have to ask a couple of times because it was hard to actually understand the word at first, but then I realized it plain as day.  And, of course, I knew exactly where she learned it from.  One can only hear "John Jacob Jingleheimer SchITT" so many times before it becomes completely exasperating, or as is the case AGGRAVATING.

the Clara show

Word has it some members of my family do not feel like Clara has spent sufficient time behind the lens, and so this weekend I tried to snap some pictures.  I have to admit they have no photographic interest to them, other than a really cute 10 month old.  Enjoy!

Busy year so far!

Here we are, 3 months into the new year, we've had a preview of spring temperatures and, at least down here, have managed to dust off the shorts, see what fits and wear them around for a couple of days.  Sunglasses are needed down here as the reflection off of everyone's winter white legs is blinding.

We kicked off the year needing some home improvements -- heat is good, future air conditioning a must, the garage door , already wounded when we bought the house, decided in true unsouthern fashion that it would not rise again.  Naturally Clara is in need of repairs and we look forward to that soon enough.  Although I could whine and complain, I am trying to use this blog for more productive outlets, and so I will not launch into a monologue about paying so much money in copays this year we could repaint the whole doctor's office in Sherwin-Williams high gloss, and that doesn't include the price for the "ear repair".  No, I will not.  Instead, I would like to give you a brief glimpse into the work we, the Nolls, have done ourselves, because we have accomplished quite a few household projects in just 3 months.

I wanted to save this for last, but this is how it came up. I am honestly thinking of getting it framed.  It's the first time, without me working with her and without any suggestions, that Greta has created what I think is just about the cutest face I've ever seen.  What creativity.  What artistic expression!  I'm so proud.

I was hoping for a better shot of all of Chris' hardwork on our new kitchen floor, but alas, I couldn't get the shot I wanted.  SO, here it is.  Doesn't it look great?  I would've done a before and after, the before was too yucky.  It is just a laminate floor, but very woody looking.  I think it looks a little more "distressed" in this picture than it really looks in person, but congratulate Chris.  He did it almost completely solo, as I am of no use using in kind of saw or measuring let alone the physical stuff that needed to be done.  Unless it involves tape, glue or staples, don't ask me to put it together.

Another one of Chris' creations -- bird feeder on a post.  (Oh, let's call it what it really is:  Squirrel Diner.)  We were tired of the squirrels constantly knocking the other one down, or the rain collecting and sprouting new gunk in it.  Chris took two old fence posts, nailed them together and mounted a feeder.  It works great, the seed lasts longer, and we've had some fine feathered visitors when the squirrels are taking a break.

These pictures are out of order, but this is a table that is now in Greta's room.  Chris and our very wonderful neighbor "Mr. Bill" made this. (Chris under the astute direction of Bill.)  He cut everything but the legs and put the entire table together -- fine craftsmanship.  I did the painting, with a little help.  It's not quite complete, and there are some touchups needed, but I wanted to show it to you.  It is about 3 feet long.  I guess I better get to work on finishing this!

So there we are, great job to us all.  We'll have to figure out our next project, but I'm proud of what we've done so far.

You're looking...you're eager for more...but you'll have to wait!  Not only are we airing winter out of our house and welcoming in the 79 degrees, but we are doing a BIG home project today!  

Well, big for us.

Pictures will follow, be patient.  

It's all related....

Ahh, I remember this so well.  This is Greta, 31/2 years ago.

As soon as she popped out, after remarking on how painful that was,  I believe the next thing I said was "I just gave birth to my sister.  She looks

just like her."

And as the years go by, the similarities continue.

No need to mention she didn't get my

feelings towards water.  (Thank goodness)

Greta has inherited Nick's need to dissect everything

she eats -- most recently popcorn.  

Odd child.

That's not my thick head of straight dark hair
that Greta wears.  

And now we're at a new milestone.

They're officially one green M&M away

from sharing a brain.

And you know what, I'm laughing just as hard

now as I was when the "green m&m incident" 

occurred.  While I was running to get my camera

I had to warn Greta not to sniff....

update 2

Well, Clara remains intestinally challenged, meaning things still are rushing out like a tsunami, but it might be improving ever so slightly.  Other than that, she is downright miserable.  No fever, but just miserable.  I don't know if it's ear pain, stomach pain, hunger (which is part of it, but she won't eat she just wants bottles).  She is napping well, of course who wouldn't when you hardly sleep all night.  I managed to sneak in a nap myself, but am spending the rest of the day wondering what to do about tomorrow.  I called the dr., leaving a message with the triage nurse, about all of this, but strangely no one has called me back.  So, I'm sure it will be any minute now that I hear Clara's desperate moan of sickness so engrained in my head, as she has taken a really nice nap.  If there is more to tell, I'll let you know, but hopefully this all just fads away into a forgotten moment and we can have some fun posts as the weather warms up this weekend and we can get back to life.  

Oh, almost forgot.  Clara is scheduled to get tubes March 19th.  We're hoping we can make it that long without another ear infection (assuming this one gets cleared up) but are also doubtful.  Hey, no one has ever called me an optimist.  

update 1

Nothing interesting or creative to this blog, just a quick update.  Our section of the county seemed to have "weathered the weather" fairly well.  After more than 3 inches of rain this weekend, we ended up with maybe an inch of snow.  It is very cold (for here) at 31, and is supposed to be gusty today.  At first my school had a two hour delay, but the just cancelled the whole day today.  Chris is at work and said the streets were fine, not even puddles were frozen, but the northern end of the county usually takes the hit of these things, so I suppose that's why.  With the low supposed to be around 19 tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if we had a delay tomorrow morning too.

I am going to call the doctor about Clara any moment now, because I am worried she is getting dehydrated from her 2 days + of diarrhea.  Nothing stays in her.  We have our Ear, Nose, Throat dr. appointment later this afternoon, so I will give another update later.

Luckily Chris will be home soon, Greta will be going to school in a couple of hours as they were on a delay too, and I'm hoping I can catch a nap at some point.  I will write more later.