Christmas Tree Farm

I put this on Facebook too. 

This year's Christmas Tree is brought to you by Acme Baby Fencing Company.

I took Erin to Gram and Pawpaw's yesterday so I could put the decorations out in peace.  Tommy and Matthew got it all down and Erin was very interested in the boxes.  She immediately climbed on top of the Christmas tree box and only cemented my decision to take her to my parent's house while I decorated.

She loved all the lights in the living room when we got home.  Her little face lit up and she was very impressed with the tree.  She has figured out she can reach over the fencing and grab the ornaments.  We tell her "no no" and she looks at us with one of the red or silver balls in her hand and repeats "no no".  It's funny... for now.  I'm sure by the end of the month, the humor will have faded from that one.  I hope she's a fast learner.

I had to cut back on my decorations this year too.  I usually have stuff set out on the coffee table, end tables and in the art niches.  This year the Mizes will just have to live without the Nativity scene I bought the year we got married.  I think Jesus will understand he's better off back in the attic then with the 16 month old since he's made of ceramic.

We look forward to the presents this year knowing that Little E will be more impressed with the boxes and paper.  We've already ordered her present from You Know Who.  It should be here soon and we can't even assemble it because I'll want to give it to her!!!!

Whoops!

Erin had a little accident the other day, then she had another one and yet another one. 

Last weekend she was with Tommy and her nose was running.  He wiped it with a paper towel and put a big cut down her cheek from wiping it too hard.  In his defense, she hates to have her nose wiped and you just kind of have to go in like a rodeo clown and pray for the best.  I saw her later and asked what happened.  He didn't even know what had happened.  We figured that part out later. 

The same day a couple of hours later I gave her her water.  She was walking/running and fell down on the lid again.  This time she hit the same cheek that had the scratch.  So now, we have a scratch and a nice bruise to go with it.

The next day at school she was pushing a toy and fell into it and split her lip and nicked her cheek in another spot.  I had to sign and incident report when I picked her up. 

All in all, last Sunday and Monday were not good days and we were waiting on CPS to come calling.

Photographic evidence was hard to come by, but you get the picture (literally).

Notice we still have a snotty nose!

Better About Blogging...

Sorry I haven't been better about blogging.  We've been so busy at work that the last thing I want to do at night is look at my computer.  I haven't emailed or Facebooked much either. 

Erin has finally beat the weird doctor unexplained fever.  (Knock wood)  Her teeth are still bothering her and Tommy is convinced that is what was wrong.  I think he might be right, but then it went away so it was probably teeth in combination with a virus.  Whatever, I'm glad it's gone!!

My cough is still with me.  Crazy.  The doctor was right, it's going to take at least 8 weeks to shake this thing.  The weather bouncing back and forth from hot to cold doesn't help much either.  But other then the cough, I'm good as new!  Tommy and Roxie have managed to go medically unscathed.  (Thank God!)

I'm putting up the Christmas tree and decorations today.  Erin is going to go visit Gram and Pawpaw while we do it.  I say we, but really it's me.  Tommy gets the stuff down from the attic and helps me put the tree together, and then I do the rest.  Hopefully I can knock it out and get a nap in before I pick up Little E.  Her new thing is waking up at 4:00 am.  Tomorrow we're letting her cry it out.  Today I got her because Aunt Mimi and Uncle Matt spent the night and were in the bedroom right below Screamer.  As I blog she is tearing thru her toast and yogurt.  Roxie is patiently waiting for the leftovers or outcasts!

Count Your Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm counting my blessings!

One...



Two...

Three...

Of course there are many more, like the rest of the family, the roof over our heads, food to eat, our jobs, but these three came to mind very quickly!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

An Update!

I took Erin to her 15 month shots yesterday.  5 of them!!!  Yikes.  I have to say, my kid is tough.  I had to hold her down while the nurse gave her the shots.  It wasn't until the 3rd poke that she started crying.  She really didn't start screaming until it was all over and the nurse was trying to keep her leg still to put the bandaids on.  Erin does not = still!!  with or without shots!

While we were there they did the normal questions about milestones etc.  Erin has a nice vocabulary but isn't much on repeating things right back to you over and over.  She'll come out with a word, it will be crystal clear and then she won't repeat it.  She'll just sit there and smile at you.  The doctor asked if Erin was using utensils yet.  Oops.  No one told me I was supposed to be trying to teach my 15 month old to eat with a fork and knife!  So, this morning I gave her a bowl of yogurt and a spoon.  She's a genius.  We've let her play with the spoons and given her bowls before but never on her own.  Go figure!

Stats:

Weight:     25.2 lbs  (85%)
Height:      31.5 in.  (80%)
Head:         46.5 cm  (70%)

I was actually very surprised she wasn't higher on the chart for height.  She seems very tall for her age, but maybe her legs are just long.  All in all, Dr. Elahee is very pleased with the progress and development and said she's nice and proportioned.

Here are some still shots of this morning and below that is the video.

Roxie (Dee) was feeling left out and was patiently waiting for droppings. 

I finally figured out that Erin calls her Dee. 

She says it everytime Roxie walks in or we say her name. 

Duh Mom!