Over the weekend, Steve and I worked on teaching Elektra how to stand on her own. And now that she's done it a few times (we stand her up, making sure her feet are flat on the ground, and then let go of her until she sits herself back down), she's now starting to let go of things on her own.
It's only a matter of months before she walks now!!! Oh boy will we be in trouble then!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
DJ have booger!
On the way home from daycare on Tuesday, DJ said to Steve,
"DJ have booger! DJ have booger!"
pause....
"Daddy take booger!!"
...pause as Daddy tries to retrieve said booger from DJ while driving because DJ was making a huge fuss about it....
"DJ have 'nother one! Daddy have booger!"
DJ was apparently rubbing his nose and managing to retrieve at least 3 boogers during the commute home... LOL!!!
"DJ have booger! DJ have booger!"
pause....
"Daddy take booger!!"
...pause as Daddy tries to retrieve said booger from DJ while driving because DJ was making a huge fuss about it....
"DJ have 'nother one! Daddy have booger!"
DJ was apparently rubbing his nose and managing to retrieve at least 3 boogers during the commute home... LOL!!!
The Birthday Girl and her Big Brother
We took some pictures tonight of the kids, since it's Elektra's first birthday.
Elektra giggling at DJ
DJ giggling at Elektra
Elektra giggling at DJ
A rare picture of the two kids smiling at us!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEKTRA!!
At 1:59PM today, Elektra turns 1. I can't believe a year has gone by already!!
As seems to be tradition, my kids go to the pediatrician on their birthdays. Elektra went this morning, weighing in at 20 pounds 14 ounces, and 29.75 inches long. That means in the last three months, Elektra gained about a pound and a half and grew an inch and a quarter.
The doctor found her healthy and has restricted her diet to no shellfish until she turns 2, and no peanuts until she turns 3. She starts whole milk whenever we're ready. Being that she's been snaking DJ's sippy cup whenever possible, I don't think this transition will be too difficult!
Much to her dismay, however, Elektra received 4 shots (she wailed, but was done 15 seconds later) and had blood drawn. Why did she have blood drawn? Because the Socialist State of Maryland requires that she have a lead test because she lives in a house built before some date (1972? I dunno.). Let me tell you how much fun it is to try and draw blood from a 1 year old. It was so much fun with DJ that I couldn't wait to do it again with Elektra. Really. I mean that. Honestly. Yeah Right. Next time, I'll eat a pound of calves livers for a day to not do that again. Yuck. This is no slight to the poor people having to draw the blood, trust me. I don't envy their job one bit.
The birthday girl fell asleep in the car on the way back to Eleanor's, but refused to sleep for a morning nap once we got there. So Eleanor and Sonny have a very tired birthday girl on their hands.
Happy Birthday, Elektra! We can't believe our little angel is already a year old... !!
As seems to be tradition, my kids go to the pediatrician on their birthdays. Elektra went this morning, weighing in at 20 pounds 14 ounces, and 29.75 inches long. That means in the last three months, Elektra gained about a pound and a half and grew an inch and a quarter.
The doctor found her healthy and has restricted her diet to no shellfish until she turns 2, and no peanuts until she turns 3. She starts whole milk whenever we're ready. Being that she's been snaking DJ's sippy cup whenever possible, I don't think this transition will be too difficult!
Much to her dismay, however, Elektra received 4 shots (she wailed, but was done 15 seconds later) and had blood drawn. Why did she have blood drawn? Because the Socialist State of Maryland requires that she have a lead test because she lives in a house built before some date (1972? I dunno.). Let me tell you how much fun it is to try and draw blood from a 1 year old. It was so much fun with DJ that I couldn't wait to do it again with Elektra. Really. I mean that. Honestly. Yeah Right. Next time, I'll eat a pound of calves livers for a day to not do that again. Yuck. This is no slight to the poor people having to draw the blood, trust me. I don't envy their job one bit.
The birthday girl fell asleep in the car on the way back to Eleanor's, but refused to sleep for a morning nap once we got there. So Eleanor and Sonny have a very tired birthday girl on their hands.
Happy Birthday, Elektra! We can't believe our little angel is already a year old... !!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fussing over food
Elektra has started fussing over food. It's not that she's rejecting food because she's being a very picky eater. It's that she's rejecting food because she wants what we're eating. A couple of examples:
1. Last week, when I was off with the kids, Elektra fussed(fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuss!!) when she didn't have a sippy cup like DJ. As soon as she got a sippy cup (of water), she quieted down.
2. Earlier this week, Steve was feeding DJ some chicken and rice, and Elektra wanted no parts of what Steve was trying to feed her. Instead, she quieted down when she finally got some of DJ's chicken and rice. Luckily, DJ was on his supermodel diet, so he didn't mind sharing.
On the other hand, she doesn't fuss if what we're giving her is something she wants which is either baby cereal (sometimes doctored with applesauce), or perceived grown up food, even if it isn't what DJ is eating. She was eating pieces of a chicken breast I'd roasted while DJ had a quesadilla and she didn't fuss once about it.
Eleanor has since started feeding her for lunch what she feeds Grace and DJ for lunch. I figure may as well get her used to it now!!
1. Last week, when I was off with the kids, Elektra fussed(fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuss!!) when she didn't have a sippy cup like DJ. As soon as she got a sippy cup (of water), she quieted down.
2. Earlier this week, Steve was feeding DJ some chicken and rice, and Elektra wanted no parts of what Steve was trying to feed her. Instead, she quieted down when she finally got some of DJ's chicken and rice. Luckily, DJ was on his supermodel diet, so he didn't mind sharing.
On the other hand, she doesn't fuss if what we're giving her is something she wants which is either baby cereal (sometimes doctored with applesauce), or perceived grown up food, even if it isn't what DJ is eating. She was eating pieces of a chicken breast I'd roasted while DJ had a quesadilla and she didn't fuss once about it.
Eleanor has since started feeding her for lunch what she feeds Grace and DJ for lunch. I figure may as well get her used to it now!!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
No portraits today
Unfortunately, in the locale where we were to meet Kathie Jones, the photographer we commissioned to take DJ's pictures last year, it was raining this morning.
I had the kids dressed and ready to go (hair even done!) as it hasn't rained here since sometime last night. Unfortunately, the weather is calling for rain the rest of the week, so we had to reschedule for the end of the month when I'll be off again during the week. Kathie has weddings and such during the weekends, so it's hard to schedule her on those days. But maybe scheduling the photo shoot later may give us some Fall colors as a back drop!
I had the kids dressed and ready to go (hair even done!) as it hasn't rained here since sometime last night. Unfortunately, the weather is calling for rain the rest of the week, so we had to reschedule for the end of the month when I'll be off again during the week. Kathie has weddings and such during the weekends, so it's hard to schedule her on those days. But maybe scheduling the photo shoot later may give us some Fall colors as a back drop!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Huge lunch today!
DJ was eating rather sparsely over the last 4 days, though this wasn't a surprise to us.
A few weeks ago, every meal, he couldn't eat enough (almost). Being a food vacuum is his standard indicator of a growth spurt. After the growth spurt, I noticed his Toddler 2 size shorts are no longer big on him. They are "just right" leaning towards too small! That said, it would be negligent of me not to cite The Shrinking Machine (the dryer, as my mother calls it) as a contributor to the small size of DJ's shorts (and clothes in general), but The Shrinking Machine alone cannot account for shrinking speed...
Anyway, after DJ goes through the food vacuum stage, he then goes through the super-model diet stage, being picky and eating very little in general. That's where we are now. We figure he self regulates well enough, so we don't worry about it and simply prepare less food at each meal.
This morning, DJ only wanted Kix cereal ("in a bowl") for breakfast. Turning down "can cakes" (pancakes) or waffles is non-existent so when he turned down both, I didn't think anything of it since he's on the super-model diet. But he kept asking for more and more Kix, eating a total of 3 whole bowls before I stopped him. Granted Kix are mostly air and don't fill up anyone, but I should have figured that lunch would mean he'd be starving.
At noon, I asked DJ if he was interested in some lunch, and he answered yes right away. I gave him a list of things from which to choose: hot dog, ham, cheese, roast beef, quesadilla. He picked ham at first, and then he said quesadilla. Ok, I thought, I'll put a little ham in his quesadilla.
Little did I know just how hungry he was. Besides his immediate want to get into his high chair, I couldn't make the quesadilla fast enough. He ate the entire ham and cheese quesadilla, then asked for ANOTHER quesadilla. I suggested ham and cheese instead, and he ate another half a slice of ham and a full slice of cheese. At this point, I offered him a banana. He ate the whole thing. Then I offered him a peach. He ate all of that, too. And then he had two small helpings of Nilla Wafers Minis, and a whole cup of milk. Hello hollow leg for food.
Elektra was not to be outdone. She had Cheerios, a half a slice of ham, she shared my stuffed pepper filling, some roasted bell pepper, a bowl of yogurt, and two and a half ounces of water from her sippy cup. In fact, she was fussing in her high chair - despite having Cheerios to keep her busy - because DJ had his sippy cup and she didn't. She quieted down immediately upon receiving her sippy cup of water.
We spent an hour eating lunch together. Now the kids are playing and will be going down for naps in about 20 minutes or so. I'm hoping they'll sleep like rocks since they ate so well!!
A few weeks ago, every meal, he couldn't eat enough (almost). Being a food vacuum is his standard indicator of a growth spurt. After the growth spurt, I noticed his Toddler 2 size shorts are no longer big on him. They are "just right" leaning towards too small! That said, it would be negligent of me not to cite The Shrinking Machine (the dryer, as my mother calls it) as a contributor to the small size of DJ's shorts (and clothes in general), but The Shrinking Machine alone cannot account for shrinking speed...
Anyway, after DJ goes through the food vacuum stage, he then goes through the super-model diet stage, being picky and eating very little in general. That's where we are now. We figure he self regulates well enough, so we don't worry about it and simply prepare less food at each meal.
This morning, DJ only wanted Kix cereal ("in a bowl") for breakfast. Turning down "can cakes" (pancakes) or waffles is non-existent so when he turned down both, I didn't think anything of it since he's on the super-model diet. But he kept asking for more and more Kix, eating a total of 3 whole bowls before I stopped him. Granted Kix are mostly air and don't fill up anyone, but I should have figured that lunch would mean he'd be starving.
At noon, I asked DJ if he was interested in some lunch, and he answered yes right away. I gave him a list of things from which to choose: hot dog, ham, cheese, roast beef, quesadilla. He picked ham at first, and then he said quesadilla. Ok, I thought, I'll put a little ham in his quesadilla.
Little did I know just how hungry he was. Besides his immediate want to get into his high chair, I couldn't make the quesadilla fast enough. He ate the entire ham and cheese quesadilla, then asked for ANOTHER quesadilla. I suggested ham and cheese instead, and he ate another half a slice of ham and a full slice of cheese. At this point, I offered him a banana. He ate the whole thing. Then I offered him a peach. He ate all of that, too. And then he had two small helpings of Nilla Wafers Minis, and a whole cup of milk. Hello hollow leg for food.
Elektra was not to be outdone. She had Cheerios, a half a slice of ham, she shared my stuffed pepper filling, some roasted bell pepper, a bowl of yogurt, and two and a half ounces of water from her sippy cup. In fact, she was fussing in her high chair - despite having Cheerios to keep her busy - because DJ had his sippy cup and she didn't. She quieted down immediately upon receiving her sippy cup of water.
We spent an hour eating lunch together. Now the kids are playing and will be going down for naps in about 20 minutes or so. I'm hoping they'll sleep like rocks since they ate so well!!
The next American Idol...
... DJ!
Went I went into his room this morning, DJ was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Of course he doesn't know all of the words, but he had the tune down well enough to be recognizable. The singing has been going on now for about a week, although I did hear him start to sing when we were at the beach back in July, but it didn't last more than a breath so I didn't think anything of it. Now DJ sings with regularlity, and songs include Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC's, and Ring Around The Rosie.
Went I went into his room this morning, DJ was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Of course he doesn't know all of the words, but he had the tune down well enough to be recognizable. The singing has been going on now for about a week, although I did hear him start to sing when we were at the beach back in July, but it didn't last more than a breath so I didn't think anything of it. Now DJ sings with regularlity, and songs include Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC's, and Ring Around The Rosie.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Elektra stands
Elektra can stand unassisted if she's not thinking about it. So to get her to stand, we have to distract her and while standing, let go of her. Yesterday, she was focused o getting a spoonful of crumbled feta cheese in her mouth, and Steve let go of her. She stood for nearly 5 seconds! I guess we'll just have to distract her more often!
Elektra's first word
Elektra has been babbling for quite a while now, with various consonants and sounds. Ma ma and da da have come out, and once or twice we think she's tried to say "da da" in conjunction with seeing Steve. But it hasn't been consistent. I have noticed that if I am changing her and Steve is in the room and I say "da da" to her, she will turn and look at Steve very specifically. It's hit or miss with ma ma.
I have also asked her to say "DJ" and that also comes out at "Da Da". She only seems to say that when she is imitading you, not unprompted.
Yesterday, however, she was in her high chair, dropped her bottle onto the floor and said, "UH-oh." And she says that regularly, so I think that is her first word.
I have also asked her to say "DJ" and that also comes out at "Da Da". She only seems to say that when she is imitading you, not unprompted.
Yesterday, however, she was in her high chair, dropped her bottle onto the floor and said, "UH-oh." And she says that regularly, so I think that is her first word.
Clean up
When DJ wakes up from his nap or overnight sleep, he typically pitches all of his crib toys out onto the floor in his room. Yesterday afternoon was no exception. When Daddy went in to go get him, DJ said,
"DJ make a mess!!"
"Yes, DJ did make a mess," Daddy replied.
"Daddy clean up DJ mess!"
Pause.
Daddy found this enormously amusing, and did whatever he could to hide it. He said instead,
"DJ clean up DJ's mess!"
And DJ helped throw his crib toys back into his crib. Way to walk into that teaching moment, DJ!
"DJ make a mess!!"
"Yes, DJ did make a mess," Daddy replied.
"Daddy clean up DJ mess!"
Pause.
Daddy found this enormously amusing, and did whatever he could to hide it. He said instead,
"DJ clean up DJ's mess!"
And DJ helped throw his crib toys back into his crib. Way to walk into that teaching moment, DJ!
*MY* _______ !!
This morning, Elektra had taken a toy from DJ, and DJ protested by coming to us. "TOOL! TOOL!" (meaning, he wanted his plastic screwdriver back). When he didn't receive an immediate response, he went back to Elektra, snatched the screwdriver out of her hand and said very authoritatively,
"MY TOOL."
Let the My and Mine era begin!
"MY TOOL."
Let the My and Mine era begin!
Thursday, September 03, 2009
More teeth!
As you know, Elektra has all four of her top front teeth coming in simultaneously.
I suspected some bottom teeth were coming, too, but I couldn't really tell. Then last night, as only Mommy can do, I stuck my finger on her gums (hoping she wouldn't bite me with those new top teeth!) and voila... I found that her right bottom incisor has poked through!
Talk about getting her teeth all at once! Maybe she'll actually have a mouthful by the time her birthday comes!
I suspected some bottom teeth were coming, too, but I couldn't really tell. Then last night, as only Mommy can do, I stuck my finger on her gums (hoping she wouldn't bite me with those new top teeth!) and voila... I found that her right bottom incisor has poked through!
Talk about getting her teeth all at once! Maybe she'll actually have a mouthful by the time her birthday comes!
Follow up to the $1M for Iggy Rescue blog
An update on the $1M for Iggy Rescue blog post:
After 3 weeks of trying to get Luther into the semifinals of the cutest dog competition by winning one week's worth of votes, http://www.cutestdogcompetition/ changed the rules. No longer did it tally votes by unique IP addresses, but it required you to register email addresses to vote.
Um... changing the rules to a contest for $1M in the middle of it?! Something stinks of fixed... and I don't mean the spayed/neutered kind....
The IG community took it in stride and after that week, we still had Luther in the top 5 dogs. However, Luther's owner decided to withdraw Luther from the competition, citing the irregularities, inconsistencies, and just plain old rule changes to the contest making the contest, in her mind, illegitimate and unfair.
I don't blame her. It became clear that the contest organizers had not thought this all through very well. Last I checked, whenever you dangle $1,000,000 in front of the general public, people are going to whatever they can to get it. So you'd better have thought of every scenario and have an answer to it BEFORE it happens. These people running the contest clearly didn't do that.
The IG community was saddened at Luther's withdrawl, but supported Luther's mom's decision whole heartedly. It really did stink like wet dog...
And then last night, I received this email from Luther's mom:
And of course, Barb has donated it directly to IG Rescue, as she promised from the very beginning. Hooray for IG Rescue! And despite all that, Luther was still in the Top 10 dogs of Week 4 of the competition. Good boy, Luther! Reaffirms my faith in "good things coming to good people."
After 3 weeks of trying to get Luther into the semifinals of the cutest dog competition by winning one week's worth of votes, http://www.cutestdogcompetition/ changed the rules. No longer did it tally votes by unique IP addresses, but it required you to register email addresses to vote.
Um... changing the rules to a contest for $1M in the middle of it?! Something stinks of fixed... and I don't mean the spayed/neutered kind....
The IG community took it in stride and after that week, we still had Luther in the top 5 dogs. However, Luther's owner decided to withdraw Luther from the competition, citing the irregularities, inconsistencies, and just plain old rule changes to the contest making the contest, in her mind, illegitimate and unfair.
I don't blame her. It became clear that the contest organizers had not thought this all through very well. Last I checked, whenever you dangle $1,000,000 in front of the general public, people are going to whatever they can to get it. So you'd better have thought of every scenario and have an answer to it BEFORE it happens. These people running the contest clearly didn't do that.
The IG community was saddened at Luther's withdrawl, but supported Luther's mom's decision whole heartedly. It really did stink like wet dog...
And then last night, I received this email from Luther's mom:
Alex Tabibi, CEO of Dog. com and a bunch of other domains, is paying me $500 for my analysis of the problems with the Cutest Dog Contest. I got us the money without Luther's winning!
Cool? I know!!!!!
Luther got a prize for us after all, in a roundabout way! Goood boy.
- Barb and Luther, Cutest Dog in MY house anyhowBrinkhaven Cairns Possum, Tiger and Woody and a passle o'puddytats
And of course, Barb has donated it directly to IG Rescue, as she promised from the very beginning. Hooray for IG Rescue! And despite all that, Luther was still in the Top 10 dogs of Week 4 of the competition. Good boy, Luther! Reaffirms my faith in "good things coming to good people."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Elektra's teething
Elektra has been teething for months now. She got her first two teeth just after turning 6 months old. Five (5) months later, those were still the only teeth she had.
Yesterday, she finally broke through the top right incisor and top right front tooth. Today, she broke through the top left incisor and the top left front tooth is right behind it. Seriously, this child is teething 4 teeth at the same time. It's a small miracle she's in such a good mood all of the time despite dealing with such mouth drama!!!!
Yesterday, she finally broke through the top right incisor and top right front tooth. Today, she broke through the top left incisor and the top left front tooth is right behind it. Seriously, this child is teething 4 teeth at the same time. It's a small miracle she's in such a good mood all of the time despite dealing with such mouth drama!!!!
$1M for Italian Greyhound Rescue
Italian Greyhound Rescue is entirely a volunteer organization that holds fundraisers and actively solicits donations to help defray the vet costs of iggies coming into rescue. As with every breed rescue organization out there, Iggy Rescue is always hurting for operating funds to care for the hundreds of dogs they save every year.
Our beloved Italian Greyhounds (fondly known as Iggies), IO and Napoleon, came to us via Italian Greyhound Rescue. Clearly, we have a interest in wishing Iggy Rescue success in what it does else we wouldn't have our two lovebug dogs today!
All American Pet Brands is hosting a cutest dog competition in which the grand prize is $1 MILLION. One of owners of a rescue iggy, Luther, has submitted Luther's picture into this contest. Luther's owner has pledged that every penny of the winnings, after taxes, will be donated to Iggy Rescue.
HOW TO VOTE:
Go to: http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/gallery.cfm
SEARCH for Luther
2 pictures of Luther - in an sherlock holmes outfit - will be displayed along with a few other dogs named Luther.
VOTE FOR BOTH of the pictures of Luther, the Italian Greyhound!
Please vote every day!
A little bit from Luther's owner about Luther and why she wants to donate her earnings to Iggy Rescue:
Our beloved Italian Greyhounds (fondly known as Iggies), IO and Napoleon, came to us via Italian Greyhound Rescue. Clearly, we have a interest in wishing Iggy Rescue success in what it does else we wouldn't have our two lovebug dogs today!
All American Pet Brands is hosting a cutest dog competition in which the grand prize is $1 MILLION. One of owners of a rescue iggy, Luther, has submitted Luther's picture into this contest. Luther's owner has pledged that every penny of the winnings, after taxes, will be donated to Iggy Rescue.
HOW TO VOTE:
Go to: http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/gallery.cfm
SEARCH for Luther
2 pictures of Luther - in an sherlock holmes outfit - will be displayed along with a few other dogs named Luther.
VOTE FOR BOTH of the pictures of Luther, the Italian Greyhound!
Please vote every day!
A little bit from Luther's owner about Luther and why she wants to donate her earnings to Iggy Rescue:
Luther was found, wandering along a highway outside Minneapolis by a Minnesota Shelter when he was a weanling pup 8 years ago. My daughter adopted him and then gave him to me when he was 4 mos. old. I was recovering from major spinal surgery. and have spent literally years in bed then and since. Little Luther was just a delight! I've always felt Luther adopted and rescued me, and not the other way around.
The shelter tried to find his owner by placing newspaper and TV ads featuring him, but no one came forward. All we know is that this wee boy was alone, nowhere near a neighborhood where his family might have been. His nose was all covered with cheese.
We have 3 Cairn Terriers, Possum, Tiger and Woody. Possum took baby Luther totally to heart, and even nursed him, kept him loved and cuddled and licked clean, and to this day, has daily played gently with him, she on her back, waving her short little legs in the air, and showing him great alligator jaws. She is now nearly 15, and their relationship remains very close.
So he is a foundling, raised by a paralyzed lady in bed much of the time, taught the dog rules by his loving adopted mama, Possum. My husband Phil is here with us most of the time, caring for me and the dogs.
Yes, Luther's a rescue. He is now adopted.
All the money we may win goes immediately to the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation. Except...
I will have to hold back enough money to pay taxes as the money would legally come to me and would be reported by the contest to the IRS. I can't afford to pay taxes on a big chunk of money like that. IGRF would get ALL the rest. Every penny.
So he is a representative of all Rescue IGs, and all I'm doing is trying to bring as many IG lovers together as I can, to make a large enough voting mass to win this contest. I figured if people wanted to join in, we might just do it. If not, little lost - time is mostly all. I do have lots of that.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Hi Axel!
I'm so behind on my blogging, but here is a picture taken by Dave or Nancy's iPhone of Baby Axel on his birthday.
Axel William
We think he looks like a really good blend of both Dave and Nancy! And we think he looks a teeny bit like DJ.
All in all, he is a beautiful baby! He looks *awesome* for just having been born a few hours before!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Oh baby!!
The East Coast Steaks are thrilled to hear that the West Coast Steaks welcomed Axel William into the world at 12:43 PM PDT today!!! He is 8 pounds even and 22 inches long.
Happy day!! We can't wait to meet you, Axel!! XOXO to Mommy Nancy and Daddy Dave!
Happy day!! We can't wait to meet you, Axel!! XOXO to Mommy Nancy and Daddy Dave!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Elektra's Baptism and Reception
Sunday was a busy day! Unfortunately, our little girl was still running at 102 degree fever, so she wasn't feeling so hot. She took a long nap in the morning, and seemed to have broken the fever by lunchtime, but I didn't take any chances. She got another dose of Tylenol to keep any fever at bay for the baptism.
My dad dropped by with the most awesomely awesome Strawberry Shortcake from Graul's Market (did I mention it was awesome??), and I got the shrimp hors devours ready. Because the weather looked a little too flakey, I decided to setup the tables and chairs in the garage even though everyone would totally roast in there, but I didn't want to take the chance of it raining on the party. DJ helped me pull the cars out into the driveway and set up the tables and chairs. He was such a good helper... by just sitting in the front seat of Daddy's car and watching me with interest. When we got back inside, DJ helped Daddy clean the basement while I got a shower and baked the spanakopita. By then, my sister, Sophia and Spiro had arrived.
With an hour to go before we needed to leave, I fed the kids lunch while Spiro and Sophia entertained them, and my sister decorated the tables and brought in her monster cooler full of yummy food... fruit salad (yummy yummy), spanakopita, and desserts. Meanwhile, Steve got his shower, I got DJ dressed, my sister got Elektra dressed, and the spanakopita came out of the oven to cool. I finished getting dressed, and we hopped in the car after grabbing a couple of Red Bulls to go to church.
The service started in the back of the church. Elektra's godparents - Steve Schramm, Alexandra, and Sophia - did great. Sophia was beaming the whole time. Elektra was awesome, checking out the world, fish-flopping herself between Steve and me, and trying to chew on Father Dean's cross. DJ, meanwhile, had planted himself on Sonny's lap, and my brother was taking pictures.
When we got to the front of the church, it was time for the dunking. Elektra was NOT happy about this... between the holy oil on her and being dunked (only up to her chest!), she wailed. Once she was dressed (she looked so cute!!), had found her thumb and had Bunny in her hands, she stopped crying. Spiro, Eleni, Desi and Christian were our candle holders for the procession around the font, and then it was time for communion. We had to pop Elektra's thumb out of her mouth, but she didn't fuss at all when it came time to have communion. She did great with that. Finally, we were finished, and I held Elektra in the reception line. She got lots of kisses and love from everyone, and the comment, "You're no longer a heathen!" from Basil. Nice. lol But Elektra was so beat that she fell asleep in my arms while we were standing in the reception line. I passed her to Steve, and he sat down with her so she could nap. It's not often she sleeps on one of us now so he took advantage of that opportunity!
On the car ride home, the kids were wide awake... not even one thought of a nap from either of them. There went the nap-when-they-get-home plan. Thankfully, the kids were entertained by my mother-in-law and others so that I could get out the hors devours. My cousin Elena and her kids (Desi and Christian) helped out tremendously. With hors devours and drinks on the table, the party could finally get started.
Andy Nelson's BBQ arrived shortly thereafter, and I had them set up in the garage as well. They were setup in no time at all, and dinner was served! Turkey Q, Beef Brisket, corn bread, potatoes, and slaw. Yummy! Unfortunately, the potatoes weren't cooked all the way through, so we tried to finish them in our oven and microwave.
Meanwhile, the kids FINALLY allowed themselves to nap, and we let them sleep for about half an hour to 45 minutes.
Around 6pm, my sister, who was working way too hard in my kitchen, set out desserts. The awesomely awesome Strawberry Shortcake from Graul's and some other treats were out alongside a metric ton of Greek sweets that Miss Karas - bless her heart - made from my father's mother's recipes ("so that she could be here in spirit").
Dessert was in fully swing when... KABOOM. Here comes the rain, and not just any rain... this had potential for hail. DJ was stressed out from the thunder, but couldn't tear himself away from the window because he wanted to watch the storm. I was gleeful that I had made the right call to set up the tables in the garage... until the power went out.
Oh no.
But wait!! The power came back!! YEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
But wait.... it's out again, and this time for good.
Oooooh ****.
The lack of lights was no problem. All the food had been served, we had plenty of ice in the cooler and plenty of drinks. I had a fluorescent bulb flashlight going so we had plenty of light in the kitchen. No, the problem was the lack of water. Well water + no electricity = no water. No washing hands, no flushing, no nothing. I'd had a contingency plan for everything but that. It would figure.
Oh well, nothing I can do about it but open the windows....and hope that no one has to pee (yeah right). We got word that trees were down everywhere and that a barn down the road was on fire. Yep, our power was going to be out awhile. Wondered if I'd get a shower Monday morning....
We put both kids to bed at this point, knowing they were totally exhausted. Eleanor and Sonny knew they'd have their hands full the next day with 2 sets of overtired children, especially since baby Evan was baptized the same day.
People started trickling out and by 8:15, most everyone had left. We started to put down the garage doors manually and then on came the electricity. Well check that out! Of course, this also meant that the overhead lights turned on in the kids rooms, so DJ was awake and wanted to go play. Sorry, DJ, it's ni-ta-ta time. Elektra, thankfully, slept through it.
I cleaned the house, opened gifts, and the day ended peacefully, with both kids out like the lights were earlier in the evening.
I'll post pics when I get them off of my brother's camera....
My dad dropped by with the most awesomely awesome Strawberry Shortcake from Graul's Market (did I mention it was awesome??), and I got the shrimp hors devours ready. Because the weather looked a little too flakey, I decided to setup the tables and chairs in the garage even though everyone would totally roast in there, but I didn't want to take the chance of it raining on the party. DJ helped me pull the cars out into the driveway and set up the tables and chairs. He was such a good helper... by just sitting in the front seat of Daddy's car and watching me with interest. When we got back inside, DJ helped Daddy clean the basement while I got a shower and baked the spanakopita. By then, my sister, Sophia and Spiro had arrived.
With an hour to go before we needed to leave, I fed the kids lunch while Spiro and Sophia entertained them, and my sister decorated the tables and brought in her monster cooler full of yummy food... fruit salad (yummy yummy), spanakopita, and desserts. Meanwhile, Steve got his shower, I got DJ dressed, my sister got Elektra dressed, and the spanakopita came out of the oven to cool. I finished getting dressed, and we hopped in the car after grabbing a couple of Red Bulls to go to church.
The service started in the back of the church. Elektra's godparents - Steve Schramm, Alexandra, and Sophia - did great. Sophia was beaming the whole time. Elektra was awesome, checking out the world, fish-flopping herself between Steve and me, and trying to chew on Father Dean's cross. DJ, meanwhile, had planted himself on Sonny's lap, and my brother was taking pictures.
When we got to the front of the church, it was time for the dunking. Elektra was NOT happy about this... between the holy oil on her and being dunked (only up to her chest!), she wailed. Once she was dressed (she looked so cute!!), had found her thumb and had Bunny in her hands, she stopped crying. Spiro, Eleni, Desi and Christian were our candle holders for the procession around the font, and then it was time for communion. We had to pop Elektra's thumb out of her mouth, but she didn't fuss at all when it came time to have communion. She did great with that. Finally, we were finished, and I held Elektra in the reception line. She got lots of kisses and love from everyone, and the comment, "You're no longer a heathen!" from Basil. Nice. lol But Elektra was so beat that she fell asleep in my arms while we were standing in the reception line. I passed her to Steve, and he sat down with her so she could nap. It's not often she sleeps on one of us now so he took advantage of that opportunity!
On the car ride home, the kids were wide awake... not even one thought of a nap from either of them. There went the nap-when-they-get-home plan. Thankfully, the kids were entertained by my mother-in-law and others so that I could get out the hors devours. My cousin Elena and her kids (Desi and Christian) helped out tremendously. With hors devours and drinks on the table, the party could finally get started.
Andy Nelson's BBQ arrived shortly thereafter, and I had them set up in the garage as well. They were setup in no time at all, and dinner was served! Turkey Q, Beef Brisket, corn bread, potatoes, and slaw. Yummy! Unfortunately, the potatoes weren't cooked all the way through, so we tried to finish them in our oven and microwave.
Meanwhile, the kids FINALLY allowed themselves to nap, and we let them sleep for about half an hour to 45 minutes.
Around 6pm, my sister, who was working way too hard in my kitchen, set out desserts. The awesomely awesome Strawberry Shortcake from Graul's and some other treats were out alongside a metric ton of Greek sweets that Miss Karas - bless her heart - made from my father's mother's recipes ("so that she could be here in spirit").
Dessert was in fully swing when... KABOOM. Here comes the rain, and not just any rain... this had potential for hail. DJ was stressed out from the thunder, but couldn't tear himself away from the window because he wanted to watch the storm. I was gleeful that I had made the right call to set up the tables in the garage... until the power went out.
Oh no.
But wait!! The power came back!! YEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
But wait.... it's out again, and this time for good.
Oooooh ****.
The lack of lights was no problem. All the food had been served, we had plenty of ice in the cooler and plenty of drinks. I had a fluorescent bulb flashlight going so we had plenty of light in the kitchen. No, the problem was the lack of water. Well water + no electricity = no water. No washing hands, no flushing, no nothing. I'd had a contingency plan for everything but that. It would figure.
Oh well, nothing I can do about it but open the windows....and hope that no one has to pee (yeah right). We got word that trees were down everywhere and that a barn down the road was on fire. Yep, our power was going to be out awhile. Wondered if I'd get a shower Monday morning....
We put both kids to bed at this point, knowing they were totally exhausted. Eleanor and Sonny knew they'd have their hands full the next day with 2 sets of overtired children, especially since baby Evan was baptized the same day.
People started trickling out and by 8:15, most everyone had left. We started to put down the garage doors manually and then on came the electricity. Well check that out! Of course, this also meant that the overhead lights turned on in the kids rooms, so DJ was awake and wanted to go play. Sorry, DJ, it's ni-ta-ta time. Elektra, thankfully, slept through it.
I cleaned the house, opened gifts, and the day ended peacefully, with both kids out like the lights were earlier in the evening.
I'll post pics when I get them off of my brother's camera....
Monday, July 20, 2009
Peek-a-boo...!
... I see you!
Elektra is starting to play her form of peek-a-boo by "hiding" her eyes (but not really, just putting her hands to her face near her eyes), and so I said to her, "Peek-a-boo! I see you!" DJ picked up on that immediately, and now we all play "Peek-a-boo! I see you!" DJ actually plays it right and opens his hands from covering his eyes at the appropriate time!
Elektra also loves to play peek-a-boo with DJ when she's in her crib, and he's standing outside it. She bursts into giggles and shrieks with glee. Peek-a-boo with DJ is probably her favorite game to play right now!
Elektra is starting to play her form of peek-a-boo by "hiding" her eyes (but not really, just putting her hands to her face near her eyes), and so I said to her, "Peek-a-boo! I see you!" DJ picked up on that immediately, and now we all play "Peek-a-boo! I see you!" DJ actually plays it right and opens his hands from covering his eyes at the appropriate time!
Elektra also loves to play peek-a-boo with DJ when she's in her crib, and he's standing outside it. She bursts into giggles and shrieks with glee. Peek-a-boo with DJ is probably her favorite game to play right now!
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