Nice Day at The Botanical Gardens...

We both had a blast...we even saw a bald eagle & its nest....very cool...enjoy the pics of our first AMAZINGLY beautiful day of the season...

Random pictures...

Enjoy some pics from the past month that I hadn't had a chance to share with you yet!

Puddle stomping in her cute ladybug getup...
Swimming with her "gog-noggles" in the bathtub....

not so good at playing...

I have come to the conclusion recently that I am really great at doing fun activities with Lilly...but that I really (and I mean REALLY) struggle to just "play" with her. I can do games, and bike rides and throw a ball and bake cookies, read books and do art projects and come up with ideas of things to make and do. But, when she wants to play pretend...I struggle.

She often wants to pretend to go on an adventure...I try to play along, but inevitably I do it wrong and Lilly has to correct me. I also really struggle to keep a smile on my face during these escapades. She wants to climb in the bathtub & pretend its a train, then run room to room away from a monster. I just struggle to keep up with the scenario so I don't screw it up. Again. Like I did last time.

It didn't really sink in for me until the other day that there was such a distinction between the types of play that we do, and what a difference my enjoyment & interaction is. I am always advocating crafts and activities, and she is usually lobbying to "play toys" (meaning Diego figures) or just play pretend.

I also find it interesting that I struggle in this area, as my mom tells me I was quite the imaginary play child myself all those decades ago. So I don't know if that part of my brian is long unused & dusty, or if I just can't follow someone else's imaginary lead (which sounds more like my bossy self anyway).

Just one of those funny insights I thought I would share. I get a lot of comments and emails from folks who read my blog about all the things I "do" with Lilly, and it only recently occurred to me that I do that because that's something I can do that I know we will both enjoy. Otherwise...its a painful evening or afternoon of pretend play where I am struggling to keep up and fake it. So...bring on the projects!!!

7 days straight...

So...for the record...she wore her Diego costume 7 days in a row - including to school every day this week. She was quite adamant about it actually. When I dropped her off Friday, her teacher told me that she had been acting up on Thursday and that they told her if Diego couldn't behave, then he would have to go back to the jungle and Lilly would have to put on regular Lilly clothes. And - then she was an angel the rest of the day. Dropped her off in full Diego attire Friday morning, but when I picked her up, she was in Lilly clothes again. I was worried that she had acted up again - but apparently had just spilled something all over herself, so had to change. And, the good news was she didn't seem upset by it.

I quietly washed the outfit last night in case she insisted on it again today - but she put on regular clothes without asking for it. (She is off on an adventure w/ my Dad). She still insists on being called Diego - but the outfit seems to have lessened in importance...at least for now. We shall see ;)

diego update..

So she has only taken the outfit off to bathe and sleep. She wore it to Target Saturday, to Jamestown settlement w/ my dad Sunday, out to dinner with us on SUnday, and then to school today despite the fact that the character day isn't until Wednesday. Odds are still out on whether she will wear it to school tomorrow too...but you can bet your bottom dollar I am washing it tonight just in case (washed it Sat night, but didn't Sunday since it just didn't occur to me she would insist on wearing it today too!).

Her teachers were great sports and continue to play along...and they are all dying to see if she wears it tomorrow too! I will let you know.....c

Diego On the Go

Next week is "dress up as your favorite book character" day at school. Lilly has been planning for WEEKS and is so excited to get to dress up as Diego at school (yes - we still all have to call her Diego). I have been on the hunt for the various pieces of the outfit - we had some things that would work, but she has been very determined to match the picture in the book exactly...down to brown boots and green socks. Found those at a consignment store, but the khaki vest turned out to be the bigger challenge. BUT, finally last night Lilly and I headed to Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World and found a youth small vest in the fly fishing section (audible sigh of relief...). We got home and she was dying to put on the whole outfit. These pictures are great...but they don't capture how she was physically BEAMING with joy and giggling outloud the whole time. She was soooo Happy (SO natuarlly I was beaming too). What fun. Enjoy the pics.

My Cinderella

So...it has been a difficult week where I work. We have had a number of layoffs this week - and the tension in the rooms could be cut with a knife. I feel very fortunate to still have a good job. On the flip side - it has been very hard as my position had me involved with many aspects of the staff reductions over the past few weeks. It is so emotionally awful I can't even tell you. Today a lot of news got delivered, and that combined with some other incidents at work that I won't go into made today one of the more draining days of my professional career.

I was driving in the car from work to day care just feeling numb. I was thinking about how the heck could I get my energy up to be "on" for Lil when I felt so numb. Then Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" came on the radio, and stopped me in my tracks. I have heard this song a million times, but never had it spoken so directly to my heart. The lyrics are below...

For those of you who aren't familiar with this artist - he is a Christian artist with a passion for adoption, and he and his wide have adopted 3 little girls from China. Last summer in a freak accident, one of his sons accidentally ran over the youngest girl in their driveway, killing her. It is a terrible story for any parent - but somehow struck the adoption community in an even more unique way. As adoptive parents we - or maybe I should just speak for myself - I feel such a sense of entrustment from the birthmother. I am just so freaking lucky and blessed beyond all measure - and feel such a sense of duty to the birthmother to honor her incredibly difficult decision. SOmehow - the Chapaman's family tragedy just made us all feel that even stronger. Anyway...after their tragedy, Steven Curtis Chapman rewrote the last verse of this song. His message is simple - take time for what is important.

So, as I drive into day care this evening with the actual weight of the world on my shoulders, I knew I didn't need to fake it for Lil tonight. I ran in and held her with all my might. She screams "DORA!" and ran over to me. I told "Diego" I loved her so much and almost squeezed the dickens out of her. We came home and colored (well - I did make myself a "real" drink tonight too) and did puzzles, and took a really long time with stories. The weight of the world will still be there tomorrow - but tonight I am not blessed with Cinderella, but with my very own Diego, and she is amazing, and keeping my head above water in this incredibly hard time.

Lyrics to Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella":

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,

Without a care in the world.

And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.

It's been a long day and there's still work to do,

She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I approve of the dress

She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone She will be gone.

Well, she came home today

With a ring on her hand

Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned

She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away

but I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)

Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

(kleenex anyone??)

Diego Does It Himself

My child is in a phase now where she is insisting that everyone call her Diego. The other day she looked at me and said - I swear...this is verbatim.... "My name is Lilly Marta Sc**** but you call me Diego." She makes me call her Diego, her teachers, her grandparents, everyone. She has also started to call me Dora. Sometimes it is Mommy Dora, Dora Mommy or just Dora. My mom seems to be Boots. Her teacher Ms. Alicia at school is Map. The other characters seem to be still evolving. It is sooooo funny. Its not like we have to be "playing" for this rule to be in effect. I pick her up from school and in the car on the way home she'll say, "Dora, I hungry," etc etc.

"Diego" is also in a phase where she has to do everything herself. I got these pics of her this morning as she was struggling to put on her own rain boots. Enjoy.....

Ahh...March...and BTW I LOVE Daylight Savings!

Last Monday it was fun in the snow...today it was 80 degrees. Lilly and I had a lovely walk after work, then played with bubbles in the driveway - all in T Shirts before her bath at 7. That is Spring in Virginia for you!

We had a great weekend.... Saturday Lilly and I went for a "walk around the block" that turned into a half mile walk to the park - an hour at the park, and hour at the adjoining "beach" playing in the sand and looking for shells, and then heading home for a late nap before Mae Mae came for her playdate.

Got to celebrate Jackson's Family Day with him & his parents on Sunday. I can't believe two years have gone by so fast! We joined them for a picnic and then headed to a paint your own pottery place...so fun!

Then Lil and I headed up to my parents' house where Dad watched Lil and Mom and I went shopping at the outlets...fun! Got lots of cute clothes for the spring & summer...all while trying to follow Lilly's edict of NO DRESSES.

By the way...I am beginning to realize that Lil is in this turquoise sweatshirt in most of my blog posts...I do promise - she wears other clothes...I just love the look & ease of this one!

SNOW DAY

We had our one snow of the year...and so we had a snow day! For reasons I still can't fathom, the hospital day care closes when the local city schools close... soooo... Lilly came to work with Mommy for the first part of the day (& Jackson went to school with his mommy). At lunchtime we picked Jackson up, Lilly & Jackson cmae to our house, where we met Mae Mae who was the superhero of the day & who watched them both all afternoon. Luckily, my late meetings got cancelled, so I got to come home a little early and we all played in the snow together. Very fun. Enjoy the pics....c

Nice Weekend....

We tried two adventures this weekend...one worked, one didn't. We headed to the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show Saturday morning...this is one of my FAVORITE events each year. I was really proud of Lil...she did great at the show and even tolerated me shopping for fabric and jewelry (there is a french fabric place that comes every year, and I am so addicted).

Here are some fun shots of some lovely quilts (that I never even hope to be able to mimic, but so great!), and Lilly's favorites.


Here is Lilly posing in front of the Lily quilt she found.

She was all excited to find an eagle quilt as I have started to call her Eagle Eye since she is always spotting school buses and the like when we are driving around.

This was her favorite quilt...all animals. She had brought her Baby Jaguar toy (sidekick to Diego on her favorite cartoon)...and wanted to show Baby Jaguar his picture on the quilt.

Later that day we headed to the CNU Basketball Game w/ Jackson and family...and that didn't go well at all. She was PETRIFIED. Actually...she was shaking in my arms, head buried in my chest, whimpering. So, needless to say, we didn't last long. She didn't like the noise, and she really didn't like the mascot, "Captain Chris" who looks a bit like the freakish Burger King King. We stayed about 15 minutes, and then left at halftime when Jackson & fam watched the rest of the game. Lilly has been talking about it ever since then...and she keeps telling me that when she is three she won't be afraid so we will go back then.

Da Da Da Da Da Dora

We had a GREAT "vacation" day today. I took of work, Lilly skipped school - as did Jackson & his mommy. We took the kids to see a matinee of "Dora Live." We met for a "fancy" breakfast (ie not in our kitchen but at a restaurant - Cracker Barrel), headed downtown for the show, and then met up with Jackson's dad for lunch. It was a hoot...the kids didn't quite know what to make of it at first. Lilly enjoyed most of it...but gave out at the end and had to leave the theatre to hang out in the lobby with me. She said it was just too loud - not sure if that is still due to her ruptured ear drum or what. Anyway...fun day...enjoy the pics...

Train Day Pictures...

Here are some fun pictures from our visit with Mom & Dad's neighbor, who has an AMAZING train set up in his basement.

The Conductor....

Inspecting the line...

Thought we were healthy....

but then Lilly woke up this morning with a burst eardrum!!!!

I feel so bad - it must have hurt like the dickens, but she didn't say anything! Last night she was a little fussy, but siad her teeth hurt. I felt back on her gums & you can tell her last molars are starting to come in, so I gave her motrin and didn't think more about it. Then this morning she had brown/orange/yellow snot oozing from her left ear and her hair was all matted down with the dried, crusty orange junk that had come out over night. GROSS. But, they say that once it bursts it really feels much better, and she is acting totally healthy today. I still feel bad. Before her ear tube surgery, whenever she had an ear infection she had temps of 102+, but she hasn't had a temp in over a week. And, she never complaine,d acted super clingy, etc. So - I am trying to convince myself not to beat up on myself too much. She's on antibiotics now (again), and will be back at school tomorrow.

Ironically, we had a follow up appointment with her ENT for yesterday that had to get changed due to his surgery schedule...but it got moved to a few weeks from now, so we will see him then. I was so excited for her to swim without ear plugs now, but guess that will have to wait another summer :(

A Funny...

We are both doing MUCH better now...back at school & work. We had a nice weekend - especially Staurday where we spent the day with just the two of us playing, etc. Was very nice. Sunday went to see a spectacular toy train set up at my parents' neighbor's house...pics to follow soon.

But - I really had to share a funny story. Lilly really is into the Veggie Tales characters right now, and we often listen to one of their CDs in the car. This morning we were listening to it and she heard a part where they were talking, and a character said ...

"want me to pick up your toupe from the dry cleaners?"

to which Lilly replies, "Mommy that's so SILLY! You don't put toothpaste in the dryer!!!"

Had me laughing all the way to work. ;)

Rough Week...

Lilly had been sick, and then I got it. We were FINALLY both on our last dose of antibiotics this past week....but Lil then woke up on Wednesday with a 102 fever...it was more or less controlled with tylenol & motrin...and her snot factory was on overdrive. But then Thursday I had my latest bout of vertigo strike. SO....I am dizzy and have no balance, and she is a burning up snot factory. We definietly needed help, so my parents jumped in and helped a lot. Friday night after mom & dad had left, her fever went higher and higher despite the tylenol & motrin, and then in her bath she crumpled over in the fetal position, whimpering, non coherent babbling. Scared the crap out of me. After her fever went UP to 103.7 after the motrin, I decided I couldn't wait it out and threw her in the car in and headed to the emergency room. I am still dizzy... but adrenaline is a very powerful force, so I somehow got her there. And of course, in the 2 mile/5 min drive to the hospital, her fever dropped to 101.5 and she was back to her normal self. Murphy's Law I guess! But, the checked her out to be sure she didn't have any infections (ear, strep throat, etc), and she didn't. SO, we headed home to let her virus run its course. FInally last night (Sun) she had her first night without a high temp. She has been fever free for about 36 hours now, so she will definitely be going to "school" tomorrow. Anyway...rough week...any prayer, thoughts, good wishes or good karma would be appreciated.

At Last...

What a fabulous day for our country! I am always so proud to be an American in Innauguration Day. I have lived places and visited places where a peaceful transfer of power is not even a dream. And here - whether the one you voted for won or not - we all acknowledge, accept, honor and move on with the rule of law. Just amazing. Add to that the fact that I can now look at my daughter and say with absolute conviction that yes - anyone can be president and that our country really does have government that is a reflection of the immensely diverse country we are lucky enough to call home.

I ran home at lunch and got to see the swearing in - and suprised myself when I teared up. Lilly - dressed in red white & blue - watched it at "school," and got to wave the flag and say "Barack Obama" over an over again.

Tonight she got to stay up late to watch their first dance. I hope to make that moment cemented in my mind...curled up with my daughter, listening to Beyonce sing "At Last" while teh Obamas danced their first dance...and we were both studying the crowd trying to spot Maren who has a spot ON THE STAGE! She got to go the swearing in & the Neighborhood Ball...so fun!! Can't wait for pics & stories! But, holding Lilly (and Didgy) in my arms to the words "at last, my love has come along, my lonely days are over, and you are mine at last..." was the priceless moment.

Enjoy the pics...

Best Possible Terrible Weekend

I had been looking forward to Friday night for WEEKS. Lilly was going to stay at my mom & dad's house for the night, and I was going to get a massage and then sleep all night long. It was fabulous. And Saturday I did laundry and worked on pulling some finance stuff together (thinking of refinancing the house). It wasn't until the last load of laundry was done around 3 that I realized my hot water wasn't working...and it wasn't just that it was cold - there just wasn't any water coming out. It was also about that time I realized I still heard water running even though nothing was turned on. Oh yeah...did I forget to mention? Coldest night of the year (actually - probably the coldest night in the 10 years that I lived in Virginia).

You guessed it...BURST PIPE! YUCK! I knew it was burst, but I couldn't figure out where it was. I stuck my head in the crawl space under the house & couldn't see any water anywhere. I called Rhonda & she called Jerry her superhero husband, and he came to the immediate rescue. We eventually found the problem - water gushing from the garage gave it away. The pipe leading out to my newly rennovated garage had burst and there was water everywhere. Well, actually - there was ice everywhere too, as the water that had pooled in the driveway outside of the garage had already frozen into a sheet of ice.

Well, Jerry got the water turned off (which since I have radiator heat, means the heat was also turned off) and got the stuff to fix it. Problem was, since it was so stinking cold outside, the glue to bond the pipes would take. So, after a failed attempt, we eventually were able to just cap it off (we of course meaning Jerry with Rhonda and I watching supportively). However, the hot water still wasn't working. We were worried that one of those pipes were frozen so superhero Jerry crawled into my very tight crawl space to check on things and rig up a lamp to keep the pipes warm. But, he evetually concluded the problem was simultaneous though unrelated - and I had a broken valve in my furnace. So, the radiator heat worked, but no hot water.

Luckily Lilly was still at mom& dad's & stayed there an extra night. And, Jerry came on Sunday and fixed the hot water too (yes - ehr is actually a superhero). And, since superheros don't accept tips, all I could do was make chocolate chip cookies.

So...I am sick as a dog (I am sure standing on ice Sat night trying to drain the pipes by duct taping a turkey baster to a wet vac - yes it worked - didn't help the cold) - and Lilly is sick too (though hers has turned into a sinus infection & is now on antibiotics after green snot oozed from her eyes), but I have AMAZING friends who jumped in and helped at a moments notice in the freezing cold. And, they fixed the problem & I didn't have to pay a plumber a bazillion dollars to do it. And, if the hot water hadn't broken, I would never have noticed the burst pipe & there would have been some significant damage (vs just a small amount of dry wall to patch).

So...it was the best possible terrible weekend a girl could have.

2 funnies...

On Sunday,, my Dad came over to help w/ Lilly, and we watched the NFL Playoff game while we ate dinner. Lilly was not very excited about the football game and kept trying to get us to turn it off. Finally...she came in and announced that Baby Jesus was having a party in the living room and I had to attend. I mean really - you can't say no to that!

Yesterday my mom picked her up from school. You have to sign them out on this clipboard, and usually Lil's name has been at the bottom of the page thanks to alphabetical order. Recently more kids have joined the class, soon Monday she is on the second page - took me a minute to find it. Well, apparently my mom had the same issue yesterday. Lilly asked her what she was doing, and mom said "looking for your name so I can sign you out," to which Lilly replied in her teenage eye-rolling voice, "Mae Mae, it starts with an L!"

Pics from New Years...

ENjoy...

Happy New Year!

Had a fun New Year's Eve "Party" with Jackson & his parents coming to dinner...pics to follow another day, haven't downloaded them off the camera yet. It was fun - complete with traditional Brithish crackers (well - traditional for my family anyway), noisemakers, balloons for Lilly & Jackson, and "Champagne" (aka sparkling cider) in lovely glasses for all 5 of us. The kids got a kick out of the fancy champagne flutes. Jackson liked the cider...but Lilly was not such a fan. We counted down to around 7:45 or so...

I looked back at my post from last New Year's...and saw that I had said 07 was about bringing her home, 08 was about getting her to sleep through the night & potty trained. I guess I am only batting 500. So...renewing the resolution...09 will be about finding healthy & PERMANENT sleep schedules for the TWO of us...same going to bed & getting up times EVERY DAY starting this Sunday. I don't need her to sleep through the night...but I do need her to go to bed smoothly without it taking 3 hours each night, and if she gets up at night, its up to her to come to me. That's the goal...I'll keep you posted on our progress.