Ella the Baby Monster

As per Jessie's request, I've posted Hannah singing Ella's "song". Enjoy!

As I have to write three day's worth of emergency sub plans this evening, this is it I'm afraid. Hope this finds everyone happy! =)



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Hey, Look What I Can Do!

Hannah has discovered this fun new way of playing on her monkey bar rings. Isn't she too much fun? She delights in swinging upside down like a little monkey, once again living up to her nickname.


Here Han does an admirable sloth impersonation. In the clip below, you can see the Monkey in action.


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In other news, Hannah's teacher has a class web page. If you click here you can check it out for yourself.

Hannah is having a ball at school. Recess continues to be her favorite, but she also likes her music and art classes. She has begun to bring home small beginning readers at night and she and Brien and I work on kindergarten sight
word flash cards nightly. I think Han may be 80 years old before she remembers that "s-a-i-d" is "said". She struggles with that one nightly!

They have also begun an apple unit in Hannah's class, studying about John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed. Han has an apple scavenger hunt she and I are supposed to complete the next time we head to the grocery store.


Okay, off to read a 'night 'night story and prepare for tomorrow morning. If only the morning didn't come so early...

Monkey's Birthday--Part III

We had a most delightful time Saturday, celebrating Hannah's birthday for the third time =). Mom (Lissie), Paul, Jessie and Ella all came up/over/down for the day. All the people Hannah loves most/best were here to help her celebrate.

We grilled burgers, and had baked beans--doctored of course!--and crudite' of cukes and green and red peppers. I even toasted the burger buns. =) It was an awesome meal, followed by an amazing cake. My girlfriend, Bridget, made the cake. Hannah requested a chocolate cake with mint frosting and Bridge complied. The cake tasted like a giant mint creme oreo. Mmmmmmm.


After dinner we had gifts. Our good friend Dottie gave Hannah the "Princess" sign for her door and this lovely parasol. Hannah is such a diva!! She adored the parasol and couldn't wait to get outside to play with it.


Additionally, Hannah received a plethora of books (YAY!! I LOVE books!) including the one above from her Aunt Jessie, Uncle Bob and cousin Ella. It is Imagine, by Norman Messenger.

The book is delightful and is never the same book twice. There are pages to explore and manipulate and the illustrations are very imaginative, like the name suggests.

Hannah's other favorite gift was another book, this one from Lissie. The book is a variation on paper dolls. A variety of shimmery, shiny, gauzy fabrics are supplied in 3"x6" rectangles. There are two little "princess" cutouts. You place the fabric over the princess form, close a flap, and voila'! you have a bee-yoo-tee-ful, well dressed princess.

Hannah also received yet another fun book from the "Zatkinsons", friends of Lissie. The story describes a bat's fun night at the beach. Roasting "bugmallows" is the best! =)

Mom, Paul and Jessie and Ella headed out way too soon. But, not before I got to go for a ride in Mom's new Hybrid Camry (too too cool!) and for Jessie to give Han yet another incredible hair cut! Jessie and I hit the outlets to get some Fall/Winter clothing for the girls, visited the local Chick Fil-A and then she and Ella were gone as well.

I had so much fun visiting and was so sad it was over. I realize, however, I most definitely needed the time to rest and to enjoy Hannah.

A Couple of Short Video Clips

First we have Hannah demonstrating how to use her parasol as a dancing prop. Please note the pleased as punch expression on her face as she daintily dances along.


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Next, Jessie has just posted about Ella's fearlessness on her blog. Here you can see Ella giving Brien a run for his money.


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A Bunny Named Moose

How sweet is Moose? He is the biggest love bunny around! He's my 13 pound French Lop and he is a doll!


Moosey is my class pet, and he hops around like a puppy would. He LOVES the kiddos and they love him. When we are in circle on the carpet, he will come over, nudge one of the kids and beg for some lovin'. =)


Moose likes to have free reign outside. So far he has devoured my hostas, my peace lilies and my basil. They needed to be cut back anyway, right? Right???

The rest of the time, Moosey is an indoors bunny who lives in a hutch in Brien's office. He is such a lovey =).

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

I had planned a post about Hannah's birthday party Saturday, but Blogger is acting strange and I'm having a most difficult time uploading pictures. Additionally, we are having waves of thunderstorms rolling through, so I probably shouldn't be on the 'net anyway.

I'll post party details tomrrow night but leave you with the above thought--Some days you just feel like a princess!

Happy Happy Birthday, Baby

How has time passed so quickly? Five years ago I was lying in a hospital bed watching the free 9/11 tribute concert that was on every network tv station. Hannah was sleeping in her little plastic bassinet next to me. I was so exhausted (three days of very difficult labor and delivery) and stunned and overwhelmed. I knew life as I knew it was over but I was numb too. Does that make sense? I was so thrilled and delighted and scared to DEATH! (It was so much easier with Lily--no fear of the unknown.)

Hannah becomes more and more fun as time passes. She is so inquisitive and helpful and funny. Funny, yes, that's definitely a good discriptor of the Monkey. This evening I was tickling her as she was lying in bed. I grabbed the sweet spot on her thigh and gave it a squeeze. Of course, she was a giggly mess and informed me I had found her "leg pit". If the arm pit is so ticklish, it stands to reason a leg pit would as well. =)
Lily was exhausted and missed the festivities. We began with the gifts. Above is the gift from Brien and I. We gave her a Groovy Girl bed and a Groovy Girl canopy to go on the bed. She was SO thrilled!


Nana and Pop gave Han two presents. The first was a tub of fun foam sticker shapes Han can use for her decorating. She was very chuffed with the gift.


These little guys were the other gift. Han is a bit of a monkey junky and Nan and Pop found them and thought Han would go bananas for them (sorry for the bad pun). She is now very anxious to redecorate her bathroom. Hm, an incentive for cleaning, perhaps?

The cake was a triple layer triple chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting. I could be ill now...Blah. It was very tasty at the time but, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"

We had all Han's favorite items for dinner: steak, asparagus with a lovely garlic/basalmic vinegrette dressing, homemade biscuits. It was all so delicious, but very rich and I'm now ready to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.

I hope Hannah had a wonderful day and evening. She is such a generous little soul and I'm proud she is my daughter. =)

 

The Groooooovy Bed

This is yet another of those movies that mostly entertain family. Hannah was so delighted with her gift that I had to video her demonstrating how it works. I've started filming events I know will interest/entertain Hannah as she grows older.






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Remembering Papa

In some ways time flies and in some ways time drags. My Papa passed away nine years ago today. At times this is inconceivable to me--how could my Papa, the man who was so full of joie de vive and larger than life be gone?

My father was sick for most of my life and I always knew he was dying. This was with me daily. I'm pretty sure this was with him daily as well. I truly believe he lived every day like it was his last. There are times when I am devastated thinking of all that he has missed that he would love: my wedding/marriage to "That Boy", Jessie's wedding/marriage, the girls--Hannah, Lily and Ella, the Hokies in the National Championship and continued high level of play. But most of all I lament the girls will never have the joy of knowing Papa in the physical sense, nor he them. He loved children above all else.

I have tried to think of the best possible tribute to my Papa, the most wonderful man in the world, and I've decided to make a list of all the fantabulous things I remember and all the things that make me think of him.

1. He loved us girls with a passion and we were he reason for being
2. Although he was six feet tall and 200 pounds of burly man, he was also sensitive and would frequently cry at sad movies--he and I were always a real pair
3. Singing singing singing. We would sing in the car whenever we went anywhere, especially around Christmas
4. Christmas--Papa epitomized the holiday spirit of giving and played Santa at the local mall for a number of years
5. Hokie football
6. The Association's "Cherish"--it still makes me weepy when I hear it played
7. Hiking to the falls at Camp Alta Mons
8. Hiking to the Cascades
9. Feeding the ducks at the VT duck pond
10. Arby's
11. "That Boy"
12. Baloo the bear--Papa was as big as a bear and as gentle as Baloo
13. Singing "Bear Necessities" while boogeying down the aisles of Wal Mart
14. His deep throated belly laugh
15. His walrus mustache
16. His deep voice
17. The way his mustache would twitch as he said certain words
18. Pepsi
19. Sloppy Joes
20. Potato salad--hot and fresh
21. "Kid Rent"
22. His dark dark skin and ghostly white feet
23. His wicked sense of humor
24. His lap was never too small for me no matter how big I got
25. Loved company and never knew a stranger
26. He knew everyone!
27. Making homemade ice cream
28. Putt putt
29. Going to the pool/Kettle Rock/river with us kids--all of us, cousins, friends, etc.
30. The way he drove all the nurses crazy whenever he was hospitalized
31. Everyone loved him--during Papa's celebration of life service (he loathed funerals) there was no room left in the church so many people came to visit and see him. I was convinced he was kicking himself for missing such an amazing party.

I could sit here all evening and list items, but those are the biggest ones I remember. My Papa was a good man and I miss him every day. It's amazing how time dulls the pain of the loss but loss still remains. After all this time I'm able to think of all the items I listed with joy and just a little sadness, instead of weeping.

Hannah was born the day after Papa's day of passing, four years later. I feel it is almost a circle of life.

If You Take a Monkey to the Doctor

Lily first this evening. This is a picture of Lily wearing her newest bib. We call her Lily Wan Kanobi. She is so messy when she eats, sitting on berries and avacado to name a couple of items, that I thought she needed as smock while she ate. I took a few of Brien's old military t-shirts, cut off the sleeves and voila, we have a full body smock. It works like a charm, but swallows Lily whole.

Today was a good doctor's visit for Lillers. She was not given any immunizations--yay! However, it seems there might be some kind of new law in effect in Virginia by which children must have their iron levels checked. They jabbed Lily's toe--again, this is not the part that bothered her--and then squeezed it to get a drop of blood--this is the part she doesn't like--to put into the reader.

Lily is 15 pounds 12 ounces (5th % for weight), 27 1/2 inches long (50th % for length) and 17 1/2 inches head circumference (25th %). Length and head circumference are great as she's growing right along her growth curve. Weight however is another story.

I explained to Jen that Lily eats like a moose. If you give it to her, she is likely to eat it. I also told her of our bottle issue--as in Lily won't take one. She said she would like for Lily to keep getting milk during that noon feed as it is her greatest source of calories. Okay. How? She said to offer only the milk in a sippy cup and no other liquids. The hope is that when Lily gets thirsty she'll drink the milk and eventually (like maybe one week) she'll be right back on milk not from a boob. Keep your fingers crossed.

Jen then said for me to call her at home and let her know how Lily is faring and that if I have any concerns with her weight to make an appointment and have her weighed. I guess I'm a goof, but I'm not that worried. She nurses like a pro when I'm with her and can pack away more food than a linebacker!


Hannah had a very trying and emotional day. It began when she had to miss music and recess because I had to pick her up for a doctor's visit. For those who might not remember, those are Han's two favorite activities at school.

Then, when we got to the doctor's office, we had to wait for what seemed to be eternity before we were taken back. Hannah had her vision and hearing screened, and then was weighed (41.5 pounds) and measured (43 inches tall). Remember that iron test I mentioned above? Yeah, Han didn't much care for it...she screamed her little heart out and it was awful. But, the worst was yet to come.

Hannah is extremely healthy--borderline iron levels, but not bad--and loves to visit with "Dr. Jen", but she really doesn't do shots well. It stems from a horrible illness she had when she was only two. She had to get rocefin injections in both her thighs. Rocefin is a MAJOR antibiotic and is as viscous as Karo syrup. The nurses today told me they mix it with lidocaine it hurts so viciously. I can tell you Han's wasn't mixed with lidocaine, and she seems to have some sort of PTSD when it comes to shots. One nurse pinned down her thighs, I pinned down her upper body and Hannah screamed and twitched and cried the whole time. It ranks right up there with one of the most awful experiences of my life. Hannah has such anxiety attacks about shots it's unbelievable.

After all this trauma, we were finally getting ready to leave (two hours and fifteen minutes later) only to be informed that Han had received her immunizations last year!!!!! She was double dosed. Now, am I upset the child has had two doses? Not really. Does my heart ache and break because my baby had to be put through such needless torture and agony? Absolutely. I can attest to the fact Dr. Jen was also devastated by the situation.

We determined the mix-up occurred because we switched PCP's this past year and Han's old records are still with her old PCP. On the bright side, Han won't need to be immunized for years and YEARS at this point.

As consolation, Hannah got some majorly blingin' "daind daids" for her thighs and finger, and then she and I went to purchase some new clothes for school this year. It is never to early to introduce a child to the healing powers of retail therapy...

Where Dreams Come True

We spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening with the Elliott family. They lived across the street from us when we were living in Newport News. In March of 2005 they moved to Blacksburg for a year (just let me tell you how jealous I was!) when Dan received a sports medicine fellowship with Virginia Tech (again, the jealousy!). The following November we moved to Williamsburg.

Hannah was only 9 months old when we moved to Hilton Heights. One evening as I was sitting on my front porch I heard the neighbors across the street--they had just moved in--calling, "Hannah!". They had a Hannah as well! To make things a little less complicated we began calling our Hannah "Baby Hannah" and Hannah Elliott "Big Girl Hannah". The two girls loved each other immensely.
Dan and Joy were in residency at the time, so they were busier than beavers, but they were also life savers. On more than one occasion we called upon them to babysit Hannah and they were more than happy to do so. So, when they had emergency situations arrive, we were more than happy to return the favor.

We were absolutely delighted to hear they had moved back to Newport News. Big Girl Hannah's birthday is September 16--she is 370 days older than "Baby" Hannah--and her party was yesterday. We couldn't wait to go and catch up.



They party was princess themed, which suited Han to a tee. We found the floofiest feather boa and pink frou frou, bobo, click-clack shoes to wear with her flower girl dress. (An aside--that child has gotten more use out of that dress than I ever thought possible.) BG Hannah loaned Han some clip-on dangly earrings and Han's ensemble was complete. Most of the little girls came in Disney themed princess clothing. Han demanded something more (I wonder if she'll let me borrow the boa...).



The cake was incredible! Doesn't Barbie make a stunning princess? Most of the girls at the party were BG Hannah's school friends. Hannah, Regan and Julia were the only girls BGH new from outside school. But, it didn't matter. It was a princess party and all the girls looked simply divine!!

What princess party would be complete without a "real" princess? Cinderella came and the girls squealed so loudly and so high-pitched I thought I might wind up with hearing damage. Cinderella arrived with her friend Miss Lolly. The two spent over an hour keeping the mini-princesses entertained.

The girls made crowns, listened to a story, had their nails painted, and played musical chairs. Miss Lolly is extremely talented with balloons and she made some elaborate balloon critters.


Hannah asked for a monkey and a butterfly. The monkey is climbing up a palm tree and is way too funny!

Cinderella left after a rousing game of Musical Chairs. The girls had cake and ice cream, opened gifts and then it was time to go home. Well, except, we didn't exactly leave them. I'm sure Dan and Joy were more than ready for us to leave, but it was just so nice to be able to sit and visit again.

Dan and Joy are expecting another little girl in December. Joy will have a scheduled c-section December 27. This way she has an opportunity to really enjoy Christmas without trying to recover from abdominal surgery.

We all had a fantabulous time and I hope we will be able to get together often now they are back in town. I know the Hannahs sure do!

Batch Two

Here Hannah and Regan sit next to Miss Lolly while they are waiting to decorate. Although Hannah and Regan had a fun time, they were the two youngest there--well, except for Joey, and he didn't know any different--and they both seemed a little hesitant to jump right in with all the other little girls. Those girls are in school together which gave them another common bond.


Here's Joey decorating his "king's" crown. Joey came with his big sister Julia, and did he have a BLAST! I wonder if he had the best fun of all...


Not only did Cinderella come to the party and help decorate crowns and read stories, she also did nails! You all know how much Hannah adores getting "beautiful". I thought she would be overcome with joy at the prospect of Cinderella polishing her nails--it was a close thing =).

Hannah's bee-yoo-tee-ful blue polished fingernails. Isn't she loverly? 

Batch Three

Hannah proudly displays her spoils from the pinata. The wrapped package was a magnetic paper doll. It's pretty cool!


All the princesses listen attentively to everything Cinderella has to say. Joey looks a little out of place, don't you think? He had to best time of all =).


Cinderella helps the girls (and Joey!) make princess tiaras. There was glitter glue everywhere!! Oh, what fun they had--especially Hannah. You know how much she LOVES to decorate!!


Hannah and Regan waiting patiently for the story to begin. 

It's a Princess Party

Wow! Did we have some fun today =). Hannah was invited to Big Girl Hannah's birthday party and we had an amazing time! Cinderella came!!!! Yay!

I'll have to write all about it tomorrow. I'm sooooo tired now. We didn't get in until after 8, Lily needed to have some solid food, and then she was so off schedule and routine she screamed and needed to be rocked to sleep--very unusual for her. So, I'll give all the details tomorrow. =)
 

Hooray!

The photos are in! Jessie received her CD from Beth and this was one of the pictures on it! I stole it from her website (thanks, Jessie!) and just fell in love all over again. Please check out http://seccang.blogspot.com for more pictures fo the girls from that fun day.

 

Hannah in Couture?

Last Saturday, Hannah came downstairs in yet another incredible outfit. As you can see, that scarf is a favorite dress up item. In addition to the scarf, she also did her hair this time.


The little decorative butterfly clips weren't fancy enough. So, fancy Hannah added small bits of wired golden ribbon to dress things up further.

In other news. One of Han's oldest friends, Big Girl Hannah--so named because she was almost two to Hannah's almost one when we moved into our home in Newport News--has moved back into the local area. Her father, Dan, got a sports med fellowship with Virginia Tech last fall. Much to my sadness the Elliotts moved to the 'burg for the year. Well, they're back and I couldn't be happier. I love Joy and Hannah and BGHannah were so CUTE growing up together.

BGH is having a princess birthday party this Sunday, so I'll get to see Joy for the first time in over a year and a half. Hannah speaks of BGH at least once a week and I know she is looking forward to seeing her as well as dressing up like a princess.  

Furniture for an Amphibian

While exploring the in-laws' backyard this weekend, I came upon these intriguing toadstools. I loved the textures and the patterns. This one was very large and my eye was drawn to the pine needle on the top.

All stacked up.

I wonder what makes them grow in this way with the tallest in the center and then the next tallest on down to the short ones, with them overlapping.

Just another cool view. They looked stacked like fallen dominoes.