"squeakin suckee" and the "new green suckee"

Sophie and I went solo to Cleveland today, and she didn't even fuss once during the 6 hour drive. I had about 18 pacifiers. I know she is getting too old for them, especially since she has two favorites: the "squeakin suckee" and the "new green suckee". Sort of like I know potty training needs to become more regular because she told me that she likes diapers because 'it is easier for mamma to do it.' ahaa

so only two more trips to OH before surgery. mamma hugs are now in demand so have a good weekend everybody! I'm sure we'll post some pics of whatever we end up doing. We are taking her for Ethiopean for the first time tomorrow, as our friend is in from NY. Should be interesting.

--
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keefe

New pendant lights

They are pretty! After realizing we painted the kitchen at least 4 months ago, I 'impulsively' bought the lighting fixtures for the kitchen. They match the stand mixer, too. Nice.

Tea party @ the new house

update and good bye hometown

I realize we've been lax in posting for the last week or so. I'm sure you all understand that having it all can be a bit much, especially when it doesn't include a nanny, private income or a working car! There'll be days (weeks) like that mamma said...

So, the exciting news is that my rents have sprung themselves from the coop that is Ellwood!!! I am so proud of them for going after what they want, pulling up roots and moving towards the bright lights and big city. While the reality is that they are following their living roots, and relocating to another bedroom community,  it still takes fortitude to leave your hometown. I can't say I am too sad that I will miss the holiday stop at the Shelby and the Hazel Manor Inn...I wonder if mom is going to drag us all back for the 4th of July craft festival? 

I must apologize in advance to those who still live in the 16117. Many of you are lifelong family friends, readers of this blog and most importantly regularly send love to us in form of prayer and therefore you are family, so you are exempt from the what I say next....I realized it was ok to break the strongest ties I have left in Ellwood on my last visit when two things happened:
1. I almost got run over by a monster truck
2. The lady at the store suggested the right thing to do when a kid sticks out their tongue is to belt them.

Ironically I have to do a training for work there in April. So I will be back.

So, onto the Sophie update. We are rolling towards surgery to remove the expanders like a semi, and I hope the momentum gets us through. We have two complications we are watching right now, a hole exposing the tubing (gross, right) and a scratch that won't heal one the forehead port we went through all the trouble of having emergency surgery over in December. So we can't inflate the forehead. Let's pray the hole doesn't expand, the scratch heals and no infections!!!! Also that Dr. Gosain puts her back together as well as she was put together in the first place.

We regularly get stares and questions now, my coping method of pretending she looked normal has failed entirely at this point. But people are nice and I am thankful that I can answer she has a good prognosis, despite how she looks. It could be worse. Trite but true.

Biggest daydream we have now is to find a way to manage a vacation during the surgery break. Someplace sunny and fun. With cocktails. And warm water. :-)



--
"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keefe

Winter time is project time

Since we cannot go outside really, it is 5 degrees right now. Heather has been making Sophie an aran sweater. She is working on the sleeves now and insisted that I take a picture, and post it to the blog. It is quite cute. Hopefully it'll fit.

I see art now

We stopped to look at an uber intellectual installation art piece, telling sophie that we were going to see some art. She kept saying, 'I see art now, please'. I have no idea what preconcieved notions she has about art but it was funny she did't think that was it!

Expanded @ home tonight on our own. Went well  enough.

Dino digger

Digging 4 dino bones. I think the coolest part is the ultraviolet goggle sterilizer. (Dork, I know).

A day @ the museum

We decided to join the carnegie museum system today after too many cabin fever days. We saw the whale exhibit where sophie climbed into a scale whale heart. A weird piece of the exhibit, but fun to the under 5 set. 

Alberta clipper

We went sled riding just as the storm started. Sophie tackled the hills with and without the sled, had me cram her into the swing and the tried to crawl the 4 blocks home. For obvious reasons we aren't going to cleveland tomorrow. We shall slay cabin fever instead! Anybody know how to keep a toddler happy indoors?

Ziggy's new hobby

Seems like the unrelenting winter weather has inspired ziggy to to take up a new hobby. Apparently, he loves a nice classic aran cable knit.

in the home stretch

This morning I had to set the last of Sophie's appointments in Cleveland. I was pumped to realize that we only have 4 more drives to Brown's territory before surgery on March 8th! Mentally, this is a great relief and we are so thankful to have found the supplies and people to help us do this at home the rest of the time. Hopefully no surprises of the medical kind (winning lottery tix or a beach vaca are an ok surprise) between now and then.

After that, we have a 3 month break before round 2. I think recuperation in the tropics is called for. Although that could start about now!

what now?

I mean really, what do you do with the 3 foot Christmas tigger once Christmas is over.

Inside day

After reading Sophie a book about bats, we made a bat mobile. Not the crime fighting type but a bunch of paper bats hanging around. I think she is in love.

Happy new year

Auntie and sophie camping in the living room. No she isn't an extra from the excorcist

1st coherent word of the new year

'I want candy'

Happy new years all`!