Liv's first "real" haircut

I have been contemplating cutting Liv's hair for a while, and today was the day. I love her hair, but her hair is nearly to her bum when it is wet, and that is just too long for a 2 1/2 year old. It was always getting in the way. So, I put her in front of a show and went at it. I didn't really want her to know that I was cutting it, for fear that she may decide to cut it herself. Since Liv was not in the mood to be photographed, I had to sneak my before and after shots. I think it is actually shorter than it looks in the "after" photo. I cut off about 3 inches, which may not seem like much to anyone else, but it sure seems like a lot to me!

Why I love mornings.

1. By some miracle. Both of my children are sleeping through the night. Ahhh, sleep.
2. When Liv wakes up in the morning, she goes to the top of the stairs, and announces that she has woken up and waits for me to tell her how much I missed her while she was sleeping. Then she wants to sit on my lap and cuddle up. . .My favorite!
3. I wake up to this face. Gwen wakes up thrilled to see me. She kicks her legs and squeals.
4. I get to watch Brad and Liv eat breakfast and read the newspaper together.
5. I get to eat oatmeal with honey and bananas. Yum!
6. I get to see Liv's crazy bed head.
7. I get to hear Liv say, "Mommy, you're pretty special."

Does it get any better than that?

Shots, Shots and more Shots

Gwen had a doctors appointment on Tuesday. She is a healthy girl. She actually weighed exactly the same amount as Liv did at her age (13 1/2 lbs.). She had to get 5 shots. As the nurse was giving them, she explained to me the science of getting so many shots onto such a little leg. It's more complicated than you would think. Naively, I scheduled my week as usual. I had an appointment to get my hair cut on Wednesday, I planned to go out to lunch with my mother-in-law, etc. etc. I guess I expected it to be like the many times I took Liv to get shots. Liv would scream in the moment, but then move on to a normal life once she calmed down. I have learned that Liv and Gwen are not the same, nor do they react the same to shots. Little Gwen has had an awful time of it. She was actually pretty good when the shots were actually given, but has since had a slow recovery. She fell asleep on the way home from the doctor's office (11:00) and slept all day long. She woke up smiling at 5:00, and as soon as I started to move her legs to change her diaper, she began pleading for more Tylenol. . . or should I say screaming for more Tylenol. I gave it to her and then fed her and she went to sleep for the night. The next morning she woke up at 10:00 screaming (usually she is all smiles), ate her bottle, screamed anytime I came close to her legs. Cried some more and then went back to sleep at 11:00. Woke up crying, ate, had some Tylenol. Went to sleep for the night. She has done nothing in 3 days except cry, eat, and sleep. I am so glad she has decided to sleep pain away, but I miss the little thing. I've hardly seen her and when I have seen her, she has been so uncomfortable its sad. Poor little girl. Well, needless to say, I didn't get my hair cut. Another week I guess.

My Big Helper

I am realizing more and more that Liv is growing up. Dare I say that she now qualifies as a "kid"? It is funny how I accidentally discover that she can do all sorts of things that I didn't know she could do. Like the other day when I was trying to entertain her while I emptied the dishwasher. I gave her the silverware to "play with" and she emptied them perfectly into the drawer! She even put the small spoons together and the big spoons together, etc. I guess it is time for chores! Lucky girl! The last pictures are of her helping me take down wallpaper. She actually had ripped off a hug piece and then said, "Mommy, can I rip it?" Since I had no choice at that point, I said, "Yes." She then proceeded to clear the whole wall of paper. I guess we'll be painting the bathroom soon.

Joy to the World

Liv was watching "Joy to the World"(a show about the birth of Christ) She ran to me with Dizzy and asked me to put him under her shirt. She then walked up to the TV screen and and tenderly said, "Oh, look Mom, blue Mary." I got a kick out of it. I love that she even stands like she is pregnant in this picture.

6 months old

Gwen is six months old now. She is discovering her limbs and her vocal chords. She likes to gurgle, and screach, and blow on the back of her hand. She has also discovered that if she sucks air in her lungs and tightens her throat it makes a cool noise. She will smile and laugh at anyone who passes by. She really likes to be thrown around and jostled. Look at that face. She's so cute I can hardly stand it!

Izzy, Dizzy, Dot and Cranky

Liv has developped a new love for her Dolly's. She walks around with them constantly. She goes to bed with them. She has even named them: Izzy, Dizzy, Dot and Cranky. Here she is with Cranky in the backpack and Izzy with the bonnet on. We all laugh about Cranky's name. Actually, I'm pretty sure he is her favorite. He really does look a little cranky.

Play Gym

Brad had Wednesday off, so we took advantage of the occasion and went to the play gym. The local rec center has a bunch of children's toys they set out in the gym for the kids to use. Here are the girls rolling around on little scooters.

Once there was a Snow Man

We had a great snow storm last weekend. We got about a foot of snow and then it was 40 degrees the next day. Here are Brad, Liv, Gwen, Nana and Pugga taking advantage of the perfect conditions, making a snow man. Much better than the "snow mounds" we made earlier in the season.

PeanutbutterAn interesting Phenomenon: Liv is typically a very clean eater. Lately, I haven't even had to wash her hands after she eats, but somehow, as soon as she has a peanut butter sandwich, the peanut butter ends up all over her face. I am definitely going to have to pay more attention next time. I think it would be quite entertaining.

Sisters

I love this picture. It is so fun to watch the girls interact these days. This week, Liv learned how to make Gwen Laugh. She gets Gwen going and pretty soon, Gwen is belly laughing. Sisterhood is a special bond. What Angels!