Hmmm?

I have become quite the translator when it comes to toddlerese. However, there is one phrase that keeps popping up that I can't figure out. So I thought I'd ask for some helpful suggestions. It's: hah doddy. She says it every time she sees a motah-cycee (motorcycle), so I thought she was saying "hi Daddy," thinking the big guy on the bike was Dad. But now it's popping up in other places, too, so I'm clueless. Any good ideas about what hahdoddy means?

The Princess' Party

For Livy's 2nd birthday, we got the parents, aunts, and uncles together to swim at the grandparents' house. (I still cannot believe my BABY is TWO!) Here are a few of the highlights of her bash:


Uncle Adam trying to wake up the birthday girl. She wasn't very concerned that she had guests over who were waiting for her to join them.


Hanging out with Grandma


Cinderella cake made by Aunt Becky


Singing "Happy to You" (and, no, that's not a typo - that's how she sings it)


Daddy helping her put on her "Love" costume he bought for her birthday. (Then they danced to "So This is Love" while I cried.)


Curling up with a good book and Aunt Becky


The dinosaur robot from Papa and Grandma, which she loves to pieces. She's named her E-o


Uncle Abe wanted to make sure everyone knew how many gifts he got for her. Silly Abe.


Livy learning to share!


New nightie from Aunt Jaime - I think she likes it.


Her new laptop. Kidding. Cute pic, though, right?

"She...extends her hands to the needy."

My mother spends 40+ hours each week driving all over the Metroplex to visit aged and dying patients, caring for their medical needs, easing their physical and emotional pain, loving on their grieving loved ones, attending deaths, visitations, and funerals, and returning home to spend additional hours catching up on paperwork and phone calls. Being a hospice nurse would have to be draining to any mind, body, and spirit, but my mom does it all in spite of chronic pain and the debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. With a good attitude and loving heart. This already is a great feat, but it doesn't stop there. She is such a loving mom and friend, and she even makes a bit of time for those granbabies of hers. (I think they're a bit fond of each other, actually.) She's an encouraging friend and looks after neighbors and other family members, as well.

I spent this afternoon with her and watched one of her patients light up as she walked into his home to visit with him and his wife, bring them dinner, and clean their house because, as he put it, "I'd be embarrassed for the pastor to come and visit me right now." She may spend the next two days "paying for" her cleaning spree (I had to get on to her a few times for breaking her rules - that stubborn madre of mine!), but I know she wouldn't have it any other way. Her patients are so at home with her that it felt like visiting family. They open up to her, trust her, and really just need her during this season of their lives. I love and admire my mom. Having been raised by such a loving mother is one of the greatest blessings I've experienced. I appreciate the example my mom has set for me, the mother she is to me, and the "gammaw" my little girl is also blessed to have.

On another blessed-to-have-wonderful-mothers note, I have a pretttty lovely mom-in-law, too! Talk about serving others, working hard, achieving astounding goals, and rich inner/outer beauty! "I luh you mush," both of you!

Testing, 1-2-3

Here's my first video upload...



December 2007 (17 mos.)


Funny story...My lovely expectant mother best friend is getting a cute baby belly, so we've tried to explain the toddler version of pregnancy to Livy. (i.e. Olivia, did you know there is a baby in Stef's belly?) So now Olivia, who loves babies and spends hours taking care of hers, pats and kisses Stef's belly. Tonight, my husband spent some time with our girl reading and playing with her after bath time, and he just told me that she started patting his belly and saying, "Awww, Baby," and lovingly and perhaps knowingly showered his tummy with kisses. I haven't laughed so hard in a month.

A little bathroom humor

I knew parenthood would bring some awkward situations, but sometimes they're pretty funny, too. For a while now, we've been commentating on "goings-on" in the restroom to sort of prepare Livy for potty-training sometime in the next year. Because of this, whenever she hears a toilet flush, she gets excited and yells, "Bye-Bye PooPoo!" I'm not sure what makes me blush more when we're in public - when she yells this after I flush or some poor stranger flushes. So cute, though.

How is that even possible?

So, the other morning I step on the scale because morning is supposed to be the best time for this kind of thing (before eating or drinking). I was less than happy with the number displayed, so I thought taking my shoes off would have to help, right? WRONG! 1/2 a pound more. Which leads to the title of this post. Hmph. Oh well, it did give me a good laugh.
(Note: This is not actually my photo, but we can pretend this is what my scale said. He, he.)

Whoops.

Figured out how to change the layout or background, whatever. Lost my friends. Will try to fix that soon. Still don't know how to do the whole video upload thing. One day I will be savvy with these things. But not today.