Snow Day #1

Today was snow day #1.  Traffic ended up being a nightmare and pretty scary.  Lots of people stuck in cars overnight and still today.  Kind of scary really.  Brendon went to work last night and I just told him to stay at work...too dangerous to come home.  He tried to rest at work but not much rest happened.  The snow started to melt a little so he got home after 2:30 this afternoon.  He was very tired and went to bed.  He did get up for dinner though and played outside with Olivia for a few minutes.

Olivia and I had a "beary" good day.  All of a sudden today Brown Bear the stuffed animal had to join the crew of her "friends." So he hung out with us all day.  So with the bear theme we made peanut butter oatmeal cookies that were shaped like bears.  We painted and played and then after lunch we went outside.  I was even a great wife/mommy and took her for a walk in the woods.  We saw some animal tracks and followed them.  Brendon makes fun of me for hardly ever going in the woods.  But Olivia and I walked down to the creek and came back.  Then she finally took a nap after 2 days not taking one! Then we played some more and had dinner.  Then we played outside with Brendon for a few minutes.  It was dark so the snow looked "sparkly" as she said!

Tomorrow is snow day #2....no school again tomorrow =(

Yesterday afternoon

Loving the snow!

Snow angel!

Last Day of Gymboree and Snow

Today was Olivia's last class at Gymboree.  We have loved bringing her to classes since she was 4 months old! Time flies!  Thank you Ms. Liz for being such a fabulous teacher and getting to know Olivia and our family.  Gymboree also helped us meet such a great group of friends!

Part 2 of the day was spent with snow.  When I got home about 12 it was just starting to snow.  By 1:00 it was coming down pretty good and we took Olivia outside.  She loved it!! Then after a 20 minute rest she took and a hot chocolate break, we went back outside.  By 3:30 the snow was covering the grass so we walked around by the slide and swing.  I taught her how to make snowballs and if the snow is still there tomorrow we may make a snowman.  Needs to get a little more solid for a snowman! And with this 2 inches of snow it has snarled Atlanta traffic and lots of schools are closed tomorrow...including mine!

Stamps!

Olivia decided that napping wasn't an option today.  Actually she did lay down but then started coughing.  Eventually she came down stairs where I had a disaster area of school work going on.  I had to trace and cut some papers so Olivia decided she wanted to do her stamps.  She actually stamped all the animals that live in water and then drew some water! But she was happy because she got to use yellow paper.

Our picky eating is also getting better.  Her stomach was still not back to normal today so we kept the food quite bland.  But for dinner she ate her noodles, green beans and chicken! She even asked for more noodles! Hooray! She was in denial that she ate the beans but she did and I know she did because I put them in her mouth.  I did cut them very small so she probably didn't even notice.  I did the same with some grapes yesterday and she asked for grapes again this afternoon.  It is a slow process but so far it is working when it can!

Tummy Troubles

Olivia has had some tummy troubles and a runny nose.  It kinds started on Friday.  Her tummy was making some weird noises but she was acting fine.  Before bed she gave me a really hard time about going to the bathroom and a little poop came out.  I thought that was the problem.  Well yesterday her tummy just erupted.  Poor girl! We ended up putting a Pull Up on her for sanity and clothes saving purposes.  She still had a little today (only twice) but she is really gassy! My tummy hurt earlier in the week so maybe she had what I had.  She is actually drinking the Pedialyte which most children hate! But she is loving it...go figure! Hopefully she will feel better soon =)

P.S. I also know that I need to post more pictures and videos...we will work on it tomorrow and come up with something!

I'm Sorry

Last night I had the first true official sorry from Olivia.  When we were rinsing the tub after her bath, she was having so much fun she dumped water all over my leg.  It completely soaked my pants.  Her sweet little face looked up at me and said, "I'm sorry mommy!"  Such a sweet girl, but we are trying to teach her when you do something wrong to someone else you say you are sorry.  Last night showed me that she did understand what she was saying after that happened.

Tonight after her bath, I got a sweet kiss, and an I love you mommy and not soaking wet pants!

Eye Doctor and Picky Eater

Today we visited the pediatric ophthalmologist for Olivia's constant eye drainage.  We have been battling this for awhile and all the drops, topical ointment, and prescriptions aren't working.  It clears up and then they get yucky again.  I was so proud of Olivia at the doctor's office.  She sat in the chair with me, and she looked in the mirror and found almost all of the pictures they were showing her (even thought she did try to cheat a few times by turning around). She let the nurses put drops in her eyes 2 different times too! The only fuss she had was about the cartoon they put on...it was old (black and white) and all it did was loop and played over and over! Even I didn't want to watch it anymore!! But the doctor said that she does need the surgery to get the tear ducts cleared up.  So she will be having outpatient surgery in the next few weeks for this.  I can't say I am the happiest about it but it will feel so much better for her.
The second thing we have started working on is her picky eating.  She is a picky eater and having a tree nut allergy doesn't help the situation either.  So a few weeks ago John Rosemond had an article in the AJC about picky eaters and then there was supposed to be a follow up to it.  Finally the follow up with the method was in this past Saturday's paper.  So we kind of started when we got back.  We didn't do the dinner part last night (my fault) but I tried it today.  I gave her 1 teaspoon of each- noodles, carrots, broccoli, chicken, and applesauce.  Then I said after she eats this she can have more of whatever she likes.  We knocked out the noodles, carrots, broccoli, chicken, and I got 1 1/2 bites of applesauce in before she pitched a fit.  "I can't eat applesauce!" that was her statement.  Well I offered it with the statement- you have 2 bites left then you can have more.  Well she stuck to her ground of not wanting to eat that applesauce and then I removed her plate and said she was done.  So tomorrow we will try again!

Here is a link to the article kids-with-picky-palates-need-ultimatums

Yes you will like green eggs and ham!

Florida

This weekend we took a road trip to Florida.

Friday- VERY long ride and Olivia would NOT go to the bathroom! It was so frustrating that she wouldn't go.  We finally got her to go at Steak and Shake when we had dinner.  She fell asleep right before we got to Bren's parents place and then she was a little crabby when we got there.

Saturday- It was chilly! We ate breakfast, opened Christmas presents, and then went to the waterfront in Tavares.  There was some speedboat races and we got to see the train.  Then we had lunch and came home and Olivia had time to fish before her rest.  She caught one fish! Then we took a rest and then went for a walk on the boardwalk and stopped at Uncle Larry and Aunt Stephanie's house to visit. Then we had dinner and played.

Sunday- We went to church and then came home and ate.  Then we went to visit Aunt Kara! Olivia and Keller had fun playing! Then we came back and had dinner with family.  Olivia had lots of fun playing balloons with Aunt Stephanie and Grandma.

Monday- Drive home.  We were all pretty tired last night from all the fun!

florida 2014 - slideshow