Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!


We had another wonderful Halloween! We had 200 trick or treaters, down 4 from last year but started off as a slow night which scared me because we had tons of candy to get rid of. The kids were really polite and super cute:) Gillian enjoyed the holiday which started out tough. At the beginning of the night she didn't want anything to do with trick or treating but she watched quite a few kids come to our house before Craig took her out. She thought it was awesome and loved getting her treats. Hope everyone else had a pleasant Halloween.......

Friday, October 30, 2009

Night before festivities...

Tonight we carved pumpkins getting ready for tomorrow. I use to spend a lot of time carving pumpkins (sadly a lot of time is an understatement). I use to get the stencils and do all the pumpkins (which normally entails 4 pumpkins). Now I don't understand how I had the time to do that. This year was the first year that I didn't have to do everything which was a really nice change. I cleaned out two pumpkins while Gillian, my Mom and my niece cleaned out two other pumpkins. Then I didn't even have to carve a pumpkin! My Mom and Gillian did two pumpkins and my niece and brother's gf Andrea did the other two. I felt that it was a holiday:) This was the 1st year that Gillian was into working with the pumpkins. Here are some pictures from the festivities....

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Preview

We are still recovering from illness around our house. No one is back to 100% but we are all definitely feeling better. Here is a preview of Halloween....

Monday, October 26, 2009

Dear Santa

Dear Santa:

Today my Mom and Dad took me to the stores to make a wish list for Christmas. I have been an especially good girl this year (which you already knew because you are always watching:)) I enjoy shopping and it was nice to have time set up so that I could go through each aisle picking my choices carefully. I did run off a couple of times and there were a few items that I really wanted to take home right then. It has been explained to me that although I have made this wish list it does not guarantee me that I will receive everything or any of it although I really have been a good girl. And it is not 100% that I understand these terms and conditions but I pretend that I do. Please do not forget Pooh Bear as she has been a good girl as well.

Love~Gillian

Wish list

Kmart
Baby Beans – purple
4 Ever Lil Angels Farmhouse fun
4 Princesses 8 Fashions
Royal Horse – purple
Littlest PetShop #922 & 923
Littlest PetShop #932 & 933
Tinker Bell Soft Doll
Barbie Preschool Toddler
Sparkle & Splash Ariel
Pet shop and Parlor Play set – Dora Puppy
Polly Pocket Sea Chic Boutique
Truck Carry Case
My Princess World of Adventure
Purple Monkey
Hot Wheels Custom Color Shop
Mega Blocks – Yo Gabba Gabba (looked like a vehicle of some sort)

Target
Purple Piggy Bank
My Little Pony So soft Sleep & Twinkle Star Song
Pony Gals – Big Adventure Truck & Horse Trailer
Pony Gals – Actual ponies
Pony Gals – Two Stall Travel Barn
So Small Pets Horsing Around
Manny’s Repair Shop
Barbie Mermaid Falls
Barbie Peek-a-boo Place
Polly Pocket Sparklin Pet Spa
Polly Pocket Roller Coaster Resort
Polly Pocket Vending Machine
Littlest PetShop Carrying case
NeoPets – Purple cat looking thing in stuffed animal section
Thomas & Bulstrode Bath Buddies
Spike Red Ultra Dinosaur (this toy my Mom would like too, she found it especially neat - Daddy is not impressed with the price tag but it got rave reviews for all ages)
Princess Superhouse – in the kid’s tent aisle

Wal-Mart
Fur Real Lulu My Cuddly Kittie (this toy I was extremely fascinated with as I really want my own kittie but due to Pooh Bear's cat issue is not a possibility at this time)
Princess Flashing Musical Microphone
Littlest Pet Shop Cozy Care Adoption Center

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Gillian's hair

Craig's says the daycare ladies could tell who brings Gillian to daycare in the morning without seeing the person drop Gillian off just by her hair. When I drop Gillian off I always put her hair up to keep it out of her eyes since she decided to grow her bangs out. Craig always puts barrettes in Gillian's hair. Gillian recently started asking why Daddy doesn't put her hair up. I explained to her that Daddy doesn't have hair like us so he has never had to put hair up. Craig decided that during our vacation he would practice putting her hair up so that she could have her hair up everyday. This was his first attempt...which I think he did a great job. I think he is more intimidated by it but is definitely capable of doing it.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sleep...

All that has pretty much been happening in our house is sleep.....it is the best thing to get rid of the flu...

ER


So about 50 minutes after my last post Gillian started coughing. I went up to check on her and her fever was up to 105 degrees. I called the on call doctor and put a cold cloth on her head. The on call doctor said she will need antibiotics and we needed to go to the ER. So we spent 2 hours in the ER Thursday night. Gillian hated being there and kept asking to go home. She was very cooperative with the doctors and nurses because she wanted to get out of there. I took the picture while we waited.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Infected

Craig has been sick for the past couple days with a sore throat. He could barely talk but he seems to be getting better today. Gillian on the other hand has become quite sick. She has been maintaining a fever of about 102 degrees today with a cough and tonight her nose started running. Go figure, the doctor finally called to tell us that they got the flu shots in and the next day she gets sick...my fingers are crossed that this bug passes quickly.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The day it began...

Four years ago today at about this time, I found out I was expecting. I had been on vacation and something felt off...I was sleepingn all night and taking a nap everyday. And my body just felt off, don't really know how to explain it. I knew before I took the test it would be positive. I will always remember this day...it changed my life forever:)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A fabulous day...

My day started by my child screaming,"I need to go potty!" Which I would rather than have her wet her bed so although it was 6:15am I would take that as a good start to the day because she didn't wet the bed. I made some pancakes and Gillian watched TV until it was time to go to dance class.

Grammie and Grampie Miner came this week to see Gillian dance which she had been excited for all week. She is a very proud dancer which makes me extremely happy. Dance class had it's normal moments of extreme laughter when watching about 20 3-4 year olds learning.

After dance we went home, I bundled Gillian up and took her for a walk around our development, exercise for me and fresh air for her...win win. After that we went and cycled (recycled) which it had been a few weeks. Gillian gets so excited and has even started pointing out the products that we recycle prior to them ending up in the garage. She talks to the other people cycling which normally she is so shy, must be they are doing the right thing so they are safe. LOL.

For the afternoon we were going to the pumpkin patch at Rulfs with Grammie and Grampie Brooks, Uncle Sean, Andrea and M. It was a chilly day, maybe 50 degrees. It smelled like fall which is my favorite time.

When we got there, first there was play time on the playset.


Then there were pictures in the cut outs.

Flash back to October 2007.

Then we went on the wagon ride.

Then we made it to the pumpkin patch.

Then we found our perfect pumkin.
Then headed back to the orchard.

Then visited with a horse that was taking a break.

Then home. Amazingly Gillian didn't nap, she fell asleep for maybe 10 minutes in the car then woke up when we got home. Gillian and I hung out until I went to shower, shortest shower ever and came back to the picture below...it was a fabulous day...

Friday, October 16, 2009

Sportsmanship

Gillian is definitely our child, not that we doubted that but a similar characteristic that Craig and I share is coming out in the scariest way. The thrill of competition.

Craig and I are extremely competitive to say the least. Doesn't matter what game it is, in our recent years it has been mini putt or bowling. We can't play a game without having to define a winner. Gillian has not played any games with us that she would have learned this from us but she is extremely competitive.

While sitting down to set up Candyland tonight she told Craig if she didn't win she would cry. On her third try she got a card that put her have way across the board while Craig and I were right at the beginning. She starts singing, I'm winning, I'm winning. Craig, trying to be a good parent, tells Gillian that it isn't good sportsmanship to sing like that meanwhile Craig is trying to not laugh telling her this (he was thinking she is just like us). This keeps going on, she is getting excited about winning and we are trying to explain sportsmanship to her. Craig ended up winning the 1st game and we all told him good job and there were no tears. Gillian won the second game and we encouraged good sportsmanship throughout.

It kind of goes back to Gillian's trait she inherited from her Father and Grandfather of being able to block out the world and zone in on the TV. The place could blow up around her and I don't know that she would notice. Apparently she got the competitive trait too...lol.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

A Poem

So anyone that knows me, knows I'm not religious. I have my own beliefs and views and other people have their beliefs and views and I'm fine with that. I was wandering around Facebook (something I do from time to time) and I found this poem...and although I am not religious I do feel that it speaks to me and I wanted to share it with you....

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.

"Beth Armstrong, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.

Marjorie Forrest, daughter.Patron Saint, Celia.

Carrie Rutledge, twins. Patron Saint ... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God.

"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it.

I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.

You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.

She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect.She has just the right amount of selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.

She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.

She will never take for granted a spoken word.

She will never consider a step ordinary.

When her child says 'mama' for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.

I will permit her to see clearly the things I see ignorance, cruelty, prejudice and allow her to rise above them.

She will never be alone.

I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

I always wondered why I had a preemie when less than stellar citizens have full term babies that they are unable to care for....it makes me feel better thinking that I was chosen:)

Monday, October 12, 2009

Pumpkin Patch & A Porta Potty

Today we took Gillian to the pumpkin patch. It was the first year that we took her and Gillian had to wear a winter hat because it was maybe 50 degrees outside. They are expecting snow tonight if that tells you anything. There were tons of pumpkins to choose, large and small. I for some reason thought Gillian would choose a large pumpkin but no she didn't. She didn't even look at them and when we asked is she wanted to go over to the them she said no, she immediately ran over to a bin of teeny weeny pumpkins. She chose 2 pumpkins and was thrilled with her finds. As we went in to the market to pay for the pumpkins we found some painted pumpkins so we picked up one of those with Dora on it, picked up some cider and donuts, a chocolate pumpkin lolli pop and a treat for Pooh. Everyone is happy:) While we were waiting to pay Gillian yells, I have to go potty, I have to go potty so I immediately look at someone working there for directions and the employees explain the directions on how to find the port a potty (I'm thinking great, gross) so we do our normal routine or hauling butt to the bathroom. Before I open the door I tell Gillian not to touch anything inside. I lift the lid and Gillian spins around and says,"Eewwww, Mommy!" And my response is,"Don't look!" Nasty. So she goes and we go out and I take a picture of her with a cut out and she then has to go potty again and I'm thinking,"How does this happen, gross." So we go in again and try not to touch anything and I realize that the employees use this too....nasty, thank god I have a bladder of steal. I do find great humor in it now but it just blows my mind that there was not a bathroom. Overall it was a fun trip that the family enjoyed.







Saturday, October 10, 2009

Wonderful Saturday

Gillian had dance class again today which she was so excited about that she picked her outfit out on Thursday night. We got there early which I'm glad we did because there was one other Mom and daughter there and the instructors so Gillian acted like a big girl. She asked me to help her get her tap shoes on and asked for her ballet shoes which she walked in and put in the cubby. Once she was done that she came back over to me and I suggested she go sit in the middle of the floor and be the first one to start the circle that they get in to begin class which she happily did. Her shyness was gone. I went into the waiting room where the parents go and watched Gillian talk to the instructors. Others started arriving and still Gillian sat and waited with a smile on her face. She paid attention and followed the instructors. The first time that the instructors asked for dancer to come out in front of the class to demonstrate a move for the class Gillian raised her hand and walked out proudly. I could have cried, I know my eyes welled up and I held it in. To think a year ago at this time she was still receiving PT and here she is demonstrating dance moves...not sure a day will go by that I won't remember everything we have been through. I'm so proud.


After dance class Gillian and I headed home to bake cookies. I bake with Gillian a lot, so when I'm 400 pounds don't be surprised...lol. Gillian loves to bake, she asks to do it, it is something that I look forward to doing with her. We made Chocolate chocolate chunk cookies with orange frosting and sprinkles. Mmmmm, they were very good.





Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Winter Hat Season is here!

Some mornings we get up and it is so cold outside....cold enough to have to warm up my car prior to driving it. So I started putting Gillian's winter hat on her about a week ago. The 1st morning that Gillian wore it to daycare I brought her in and the other kids starting to make fun of her calling her silly because it wasn't winter. I could tell Gillian was embarrassed because she started acting shy and hiding behind me. So when I arrived at work I text Craig saying we may have to fight with Gillian to get her to wear the hat and gloves because the kids were giving her a hard time about it. Craig came back with his usual humor and told me until Mary calls us to tell us Gillian kicked some kid's ass it won't be an issue. So that afternoon when she was picked up no issues and we haven't had any issues. She actually enjoys wearing her winter hat. So much in fact that she doesn't bother to take it off when she gets home. I should have guessed it wouldn't be an issue because it is like all her other accessories...



Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Harley

Craig has been looking at new motorcycles for about a month now. It is not necessary for him to get a new one but his bike was a bit uncomfortable for the two of us to ride together so he was looking for something a little bigger. Thankfully he is considerate and while looking at bikes considered how soft/hard the seat was for me and took into consideration the fact that I'm 5'08" and have long legs so he was trying to find something I wasn't too crouched up on. Well, I got the call today that we are the proud owners of a new Harley Davidson motorcycle. So who was the first gal to sit on the bike, but of course, our future little chopper Gillian.


Monday, October 5, 2009

Apple Torte

Tonight I got home from work and I was tired, didn't really feel like doing anything. Craig was cooking dinner and Gillian was watching TV. I asked how Craig how his day was and he said fine. Then I hear a little voice from the living room say,"You didn't ask me how my day was." I went in the living room and asked Gillian how her day was and she got all excited and said,"Good!" Gillian is far from neglected but I would hate for her to think I don't care how her day was so I wanted to make sure she got extra attention from Mommy. We had apples to use up and a recipe I wanted to try for Apple Torte. Gillian and I recruited Craig to cut and peel apples while we measured and mixed all the ingredients. It didn't come out how I expected but it was good. Craig doesn't even like desserts like that but he humored Gillian and I by eating some. I love our family...it is funny how adding a little one creates more of a family feeling than I had when it was just Craig and I.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

You're the best....

Today Gillian went to spend the day with Grammie Miner. I have been working on a kitchen project the includes removing wall paper and repairing the walls. It is extremely messy and the dust that is in the air isn't good for me to breathe so Gillian is not around when we work. She baked cupcakes and cookies. I was surprised on the way home when she was telling me the ingredients that they baked with and which ingredients went with which baked good. Before I left to pick Gillian up, I turned on all the Halloween lights so they would be on when we came home. So as we pull up to the house Gillian got so excited when she saw the lights...and her response to the lights was, "Mommie you're the best!" Totally worth it:)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Dance Started...

So today was the big day!

Friday night we picked out the dance outfit and tights, made sure the dance bag was packed. I made sure to plug in the camera so it was fully charged. I gave Gillian the run down, get up, eat breakfast, change into dance clothes and then off to class. This way she doesn't have any meltdowns if things don't go in the order she expects.

So this morning, we got up and followed the agenda from the night before. She had been dying to get into her dance outfit since we purchased it. For the last year, Gillian has been so excited to be a "big girl" and be able to go to dance class so today was her day. I wasn't sure what to expect from myself...emotions I wasn't sure if it would get the better of me. When I think back to the days when Gillian was first born and we were told she may not lead a normal life...it's hard for me to forget. Luckily, I was able to keep my emotions under control and enjoy the class. I figured Gillian would be shy and it would take her time to warm up to the idea of being part of the class. It did take her a bit of time, after about 15 minutes she joined. I think the only time I welled up was after Gillian had been participating for a bit she ran over to me in between dances and gave me a big hug, kind-a like I'm set Mom, I really am a big girl. She is growing up so fast. Class was done before I knew it and we were headed home. She is already looking forward to next week.


Today was also my Mom's birthday. So we went over for dinner to celebrate. Gillian was so excited. I had ordered a Scooby-Doo cake and had "Happy Birthday Grammie" put on it so it was from the grandkids. Gillian thought this was the coolest thing and kept reminding me we had to go so Grammie to bring her the cake. When all the family was finally there, Gillian screamed the party is starting! She is too cute. She still isn't too sure of her Uncles, depends on the day other than that she was extremely social. It was nice to see everyone and I love that Gillian is learning how important these special days are for everyone. Happy Birthday Grammie!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October is here!

So it is finally October, finally in the sense that we have been decorated for Halloween for two weeks now. We put out our finally decoration. I always swore I would never own one of these things but Gillian saw it in the store and was so fascinated by it that I couldn't say no. This is my favorite month of the year and I don't even really care for Halloween, I love Fall and I hope Gillian grows to love it as much as I do....