Round Two

WARNING: Terrible iPhone pictures ahead!

Today was Holly's second laser treatment. Unfortunately, Andrew wasn't able to come with us; however, my mom agreed to come with, so I had another grown-up and someone to take Josie for me. I am very glad that she was able to come and for all the help she gave me.

Let me say this: everyone remembered Holly from last time. One thing this girl will never be accused of is not having personality! She is definitely charming and everyone loves her. (Sorry...but they did!) She was quite happy to be back, and as one nurse put it, "She walks around like she owns the place!" We had to wait a long time in the pre-op holding area, so I got well acquainted with the playroom they have set up. Holly had a blast, and I was grateful that she was occupied while we waited.

The procedure itself went much the same as last time, so she did really great. They let me come along as the nurse wheeled the bed into the OR, and I got pretty choked up seeing my tiny girl on that big bed, holding her blankie. That was hard for me to watch, somehow. Holly had a hard time when she came out of the anesthesia; she was pretty cranky this time. But can you blame her? I'm sure she felt really yucky, and she was certainly entitled to fuss as much as she wanted.

I had a really hard time today. I was expecting to feel a huge sense of relief after Holly's first procedure, but it was probably harder for me today. I think part of that was because Andrew wasn't with me. I love my mom and she will always be my mom and I'm glad she came, but I didn't realize how much I really count on Andrew for support in things like this, and how much he really helps me to calm down. (Don't tell him I said that, ok?) I am naturally a freak and I get worried and anxious about everything. To make a long story short, I was a total mess and freaking out on the drive up to San Antonio. Not pretty.

But everything turned out just fine. I'm pretty sure Holly doesn't hate me and won't resent me for doing this to her. She even cracked a little smile after I got her dressed and wrapped her blankie around her! Too bad I couldn't catch it on camera.

Six Months Old

Josie is six months old today! We all adore this sweet baby so, so much. Here are a few things about Josie right now: she weighs 14 lb, 4 oz and is 25 1/2 inches long. That makes her long and skinny. The poor thing had a whole bunch of nasty vaccines today and...it was sad. My poor baby.

She rolls over from her tummy to her back and can sit up quite well. She loves to grab anything within reach, especially if it's food or it crinkles. Her favorite "toy" is the wipes container, because it's plastic and crinkly. So much for baby toys.

Today I gave her some frozen peas in this mesh thingy for a snack while Holly and I were eating lunch. I thought it would feel good on her gums. And I decided it was high time to introduce some new flavors to her repertoire. I told my pediatrician this afternoon that I did this, and she acted like it was kind of gross that I gave my baby frozen peas. Is that gross?

I kind of thought it was a good idea. And she seemed to like it.

Computer

Holly loves the computer at our house. I think it has mostly to do with the fact that it is strictly off-limits.

At my parents' house, they have an old keyboard that is in the girls' toy box.

Holly loves it.

She especially loves sitting on this chair and typing on it. I think it makes her feel grown-up. She thinks it's pretty great. And so do I.

The Potty

Holly has recently taken an interest in all things relating to the potty. She is fascinated when I go to the bathroom and I need to practically barricade the door shut. She has her dolls go potty all the time, and she is constantly changing her dolls' diapers because they are poopy. The trials of being (almost) two!

Anyway, a few weeks ago Holly started asking to go potty. Now, I had not even entertained the idea of her being potty-trained for another six months to a year. I was pretty shocked, but I decided to let her, thinking that it would be a novelty that would soon pass and she'd stay in diapers for awhile. But I also started asking around and reading a little about the mysterious ways of Potty Training, to prepare myself for when the day eventually comes. She sits on the potty maybe once a day or once every couple of days, but nothing ever happens.

Fast forward to this evening. She was sitting in the bathtub and I was about to tell her it was time to get out. Holly stood up and said urgently, "Poop potty. Poop potty." I whisked her out of the tub and onto the potty in record time, and we sat there for a minute or so. Then...she peed! I couldn't believe it. Holly was so proud of herself, and I was so proud of her too! Such a grown-up girl. Who knows if it will stick or not, but it was exciting nonetheless.

At the same time, I'm a little sad. Soon my baby will be joining the ranks of big boys and girls and not wearing diapers anymore. (I know I'm crazy, just go with it, okay?) So it's kind of a bittersweet moment. Soon my baby won't be a baby anymore!

Baby Food

Our little Josie is six months old this week, and guess what that means? Rice cereal!

Truth be told, she was probably ready for cereal a few weeks ago. But it is so much easier to just nurse her and not worry about baby food that I procrastinated. She has decided recently that she wants everything we are eating, so I decided to indulge her and give her some cereal.

And she loves it! That, my friends, is what happens if you wait until your baby is ready for solids. If you start her too early (like I did with, ahem, Holly...oops) then it is a constant battle for, like, two months until she finally decides to start liking food. Jeez. The things you don't know the first time around.

A few bites in, Holly decided that I wasn't doing a good enough job and that she needed to take over. It was so sweet to see her feeding Josie and saying, "Here, Jojo. Here. Try it!" It was so cute! That is also why there's cereal all over the place. You didn't think I was that messy, did you?

General Conference Weekend

I was so looking forward to General Conference. I had envisioned making a delicious and nutritious breakfast for my family Saturday morning which we would eat together. Then we would meander to the living room and our children would play quietly and Holly would do the crafts I had so lovingly prepared for her while Andrew and I sat together on the couch, taking notes and listening to the speakers and music. Then the kids would nap, and I would make two more delicious meals to fill their bellies and we would have a wonderful day together. Then we would do it again on Sunday.

Well, then I was rudely awakened to my reality, which is nothing like the dreamlike scenario laid out for you to enjoy (and for me to drool over). How it really played out was: cereal for breakfast, kids having a tantrum (or three, or five) during Conference making it impossible to pay attention, followed by Ramen noodles for lunch and everyone passing out from exhaustion in the afternoon. Slightly different from what I had envisioned. I guess I'll be experiencing most of the talks for the first time in the Ensign.

But the girls and I did have a few really sweet moments together before Andrew woke up Saturday morning. Holly loves for Josie to sit next to her on the couch. She thinks it's the greatest thing! So I propped Josie up next to her, and this is what happened.

Sharing the sippy. Looking at each other, and laughing. Those were some really great moments and, really, the moments I remember most from this past weekend.

A Dad and His Girl

We were out to lunch when...this happened. It melted my heart.

This is a rare occurrence in our family. For both of the girls, mom is the go-to gal. All the time. Case in point: Andrew holds baby, baby screams. Katie takes baby from Andrew, baby smiles instantly.

This particular afternoon, however, Holly was totally loving her dad. It was awesome for all parties involved.

Yikes!

Look! I cut my chin...while shaving.

We are amazing parents. Not. Fortunately, this happened the day before we left for my cousin's wedding. So Supermom and Superdad were able to show off their parenting skills to the entire family.