Helicopter Museum.

Liv had a blast this morning at the Helicopter Museum. She ran around like a maniac with no fear. As we pulled up we saw some helicopters practicing landing/taking off.
The museum is a place we often drove past when we lived in west chester or ry worked there. I used to wonder why anyone would go there (haha- as a college student). Now as a parent, it is a treasure.

dinnertime. (Lo feeding herself)

lunchtime.

We got another....

tooth. Today I found Charlotte's second bottom tooth. Yay! Two down, 18 to go. ;)

Theory: If I can't see you, you can't see me.

good way to end the day.

Pink Balloon.

LoLo.

Allergy elimination acupressure.

I took Lo today to my doctor in Narberth whose wife also practices there and practices chinese medicine. We sat down for over an hour consulting and coming up with a plan. As of now, I have about 5 new isotonix vitamins to take and Lo has a homeopathic drainage dropper to help her body rid of what it still is fighting. We go back in two weeks to start the acupressure treatments.

I am feeling pretty good about this. It was interesting to hear her take on everything. She said there has only been one child she has worked on that she didn't see improvement on. That is promising. Afterall, lots of the world practices medicine this way. It is worth a shot.....

impromptu visit to meme and g-pops.

I woke up today and was missing on MY mommy and daddy. They were away for a week and we haven't seen gpop since our last date night a few weeks ago. I wanted to surprise my dad at work but my mom had to tell him because he was planning on going to the shore to work. We went to the church and Livj went to the preschool for a little. Then we all went to lunch and met great grandmom.

Liv loved the fact that there was an arcade right across from the restaurant. Her and Gpop went in to check it out. Both of the girls behaved themselves through the meal. Then liv and gpop disappeared to buy jelly beans. Liv was in all of her glory.

We had a blast!

Reading Terminal Market.

Today we strolled around the market enjoying the fresh, local goods. I don't know what it is but I have such an obsession with places like this. Put me in a farmer's market and I can just spend the day people watching, culture absorbing, and smelling the different foods.

Ry wore Liv in the Mei tai and I had Lo in the bjorn. Stroller free. Ry and I didn't have to say, do you have her? or where did she go? They each were attached to one of us.

Liv was so funny. She asked for jelly beans at one of the vendors. It was like an old school candy shop. She swore that she cold buy them with her own money (had 6 cents in her pocket). I bought her a quarter of a pound but she insisted on holding the baggy and waiting until we got home to eat them. She was so patient and persistent. It took about 30 minutes to pack up and get home. She held that bag tight. As soon as she came in, she then enjoyed them. (Such an aunt chrissy thing, if she were like me they would have been gone in one handful, before we left the market)

we got a tooth.

Well, oh well, I guess Charlotte's new tongue action (as you see in her videos) is because she felt a tooth coming through. This morning I discovered it.........;)

don't wake a sleeping baby.

smiles.

strike a pose.

sweet heart.

city paper.

the mattress.

silly girl.

all or nothing....

Liv is still playing hard to get with the camera lately. She is either all about it, or wanting nothing to do with it.

obsessed with wearing her tutu.

thank you, mama.

I was nursing Lo tonight in her room. It was quiet. The room was dark. The only light was the hallway light that peeked in the half opened door. Ry and Liv were downstairs watching noggin. This is my alone time with Lo. A way to unwind and have some closure to the day.

While nursing she reached her arm up and rubbed my neck, played with my necklace, twirled my hair. She peacefully nursed, and every few seconds made eye contact and locked eyes.

I know her thoughts are not complex enough to understand my sacrifices (elimination diet) or what it takes to still be nursing a 6.5 month old who has yet to sleep through the night.

But the look in her eye was not a blank stare. It was sincere. It was loving. It felt like a "Thank you". She didn't want to turn and break the eye contact. Nor did I......There was no other place either of us would rather be. We both completely enjoy that time together.

She didn't have to speak. But I knew what she was saying.

true bliss.

Now that we are seeing a different side of Lo (not struggling with the food allergies), I am falling deeper and deeper in love. There are so many times I am with her and I just can't hug her tight enough or kiss her long enough.......

I am so in love.

It just amazes me. How I need the family to be complete.
Like I am not a whole, I need them to feel whole. Afterall, Liv and Lo were apart of my body for some time.
Now they are whole. But they still need me to feel complete.

I am fine with being a half and always needing them. And I am fine with them always needing me.

It is just funny how when I was younger I felt like a whole, but I wasn't I always needed my parents. And still do. That is the way it should be.... The circle of life. We are never complete. We all need each other.

Overheard.

Mommy, I have the coffee coughs.

Mama Bear.....

She does exist. She is usually the one behind the camera......

Cheekers.

Dada time.

Liv's favorite YouTube vid.

She has become quite the LipSyncher (taking after her mom's 15 north karaoke days- if only I could go back. (what night was that? Thursdays? But would I be that crazy mom lady? Who cares, I was that crazy drunk college student then)

it is 8:58 am...

and I already hit the treadmill, showered, got the everyone's breakfast, and Lo is down for her nap........

Good start to the day.

Back in service.

Untitled from corinne katrina on Vimeo.

Not only are the girls back in service after 3 weeks of sickness, I got a little valentine's day treat (flip mino HD- new video camera). So my new addiction to this device will mean lots of new katrina kid footage.

My new Hero...Salma Hayek.

I know it is controversial, but it isn't to most women who have breastfed their children. While in Africa, Salma nursed a sick hungry one week old baby. Salma currently is still nursing her one year old and couldn't pass up her "Mommy Super Power" on this little guy. He was so hungry, and he just gulped away.

Not only was she able to nourish that little boy but she also wanted to encourage women there to continue breastfeeding. Men do not defend breastfeeding because they do not believe in sexual relations with breastfeeding women.

They have the highest number of infant mortality due to malnutrition. Breastfeeding would change that.

This story gave me goose bumps. Four years ago, I may have thought it was inappropriate or strange for her to do that, but Today I probably would have done the same thing. Hearing a hungry crying baby usually makes you let down anyway ;) I may not be using my college degree or masters degree, but a person can live off of the milk my body produces...... that is super power.

Amazing.....

Valentine's day.

It is 8:15 am and Liv has already hugged me and told me she loves me 9 times this morning. What a great feeling! She really gets the idea of valentine's day and has been so loving. I have to remember mornings like today in the midst of a "leave me alone" tantrum.

thought we were in the clear....

Until Liv woke up at 10:00 pm last night and couldn't fall back asleep until 3:30 am. Then she woke up at 7 and threw up,,,,,..

And Charlotte actually would've let me sleep last night with a 7 hour stretch........

Ughhh..
this will end.
wish us health...and sleep.

Liv and mama.

Charlie and Mama.

6 month check up.

Charlotte had her 6 month check up yesterday. She had 4 shots and the oral rotovirus vaccine. So far, she seems okay. Not too much discomfort, but the tylenol is helping her sore muscles ( a shot in each limb). She weighted 13 lb. 1 ounce and was 24.5 inches long. Dr. Maddie said she is taking after her sister and genetics are kicking in. She is in the 10 percentile for both height and weight. Liv was 10 % for weight but 50 for height (she was much skinnier looking because of that).

It was a good visit.

Today we went to Lo's follow up allergist appointment. Dr. Sweinburg was extremely impressed with the improvement in her skin. The problem is not solved, but at least my diet changes are making a difference. We will be going back in 6 months.

Overall, good news. Still a work in progress...........

Viewer Discretion Advised.

Considering that 99% of my readers are women, only one percent of you will blush and the rest will chuckle......

Today Liv decided to catch Ry completely off gaurd ...... She asked him why Mommy has big boobies. uhhhhhhh, and he thought to himself, "So, this is when the awkward questions start, only now it is complety innocent."

He started to tell her that they will grow when she gets older. But her body is PERFECT just the way it is.

Then I walked in. I continued to say that my boobies are big because I am feeding Charlotte and one day she can feed her babies if she chooses.

uhhhhhhhh.....

The things that come out of her mouth. But the curiosity is amazing!

Tinkerbell.

Thanks to watching Tinker Bell multiple times this week, Liv has been acting out lots of the scenes....... One of them is (which I didn't know until she said it to me, and I said where the heck did you get that from).....

Liv says, "I"M forces of Nature ( pronounced May-chur), and YOU"RE down in the ditch."

She uses all kinds of body language and is extremely dramatic. Pointing in my face and then to the ground. I haven't seen the actual scene but I have to now to see how well she acts like tinkerbell.

Every time she says that to me, for some strange reason, I feel belittled. She is a pretty good actress these days.

Daddy Day.

Today the Katrina household started their day at 5am. LIv must have gotten the memo that I needed the rest because of this yucky cold and Chrissy's Bridal Shower. So she woke up and decided it was a good idea to be loud and wake up her sister who just fell asleep from a 4:15 feeding (so did mommy).

After splashing lots of water on my face and taking a b-50, Lo and I headed to jersey for Chrissy's shower. Liv stayed home with daddy, had a nice walk in the woods with Corriah then took a much needed nap!

A quote from Dooce. (a blog I frequent)

I couldn't have said it any better,

You have changed so much since that first morning you spent with us, a morning that altered my life so drastically that sometimes it still feels like I'm catching my breath. I imagine that I won't ever stop feeling this way, won't ever stop having a portion of my brain dedicated to the thought of where you are and what you're doing, won't ever be able to escape the constant, nagging hope that you are happy and fulfilled. My pulse is forever closer to the surface of my neck because of you, because of my responsibility toward you, and I can't thank you enough for the dimension that this has added to what it means to be alive.

Nurse Katrina needs a nurse.

Well it has been 2 weeks that the girls have been fighting a cold, and it looks like it finally caught me. I have had it since Tuesday, but today I feel yucky. I don't think I have had a cold in over 5 years. It is doable, but I just want to be able to take the day to lay in bed...... not happening.

And to make it even better, Liv decided not to nap today. So these girls are in bed tonight at 7pm. And so am I..........

at grandmom's.

Untitled from corinne katrina on Vimeo.

Snottie Lottie.

Snow Day.

You're never too old to make snow angels....




Untitled from corinne katrina on Vimeo.

Two puzzle pieces.

Is it possible for a 30 year old to feel comforted and safe by a 3 year old? yes. It happened today, for sure.

It was a very small gesture that I am not sure I could explain clearly, but today I was sitting on the couch and Livi climbed into a super comfy position directly next to me. Almost as if we both were puzzle pieces and she squirmed her way in to be a perfect match. Then she put her one hand over my belly as if to hug me. What she did with her other hand is what really caught me off guard. As if she knew that what she was doing, made me feel loved. safe. cozy. Like if her hand could talk, it would have said, "aww, sweetie, I love you" She stategically placed the fold of her arm under my chin (once again, like a puzzle piece) and her hand reached the top of my cheekbone (almost my ear). She wiggle her fingers until her hand perfectly cupped my face. She then gently tapped her fingers along my cheek from her pinky on up and repeated the motions. So delicate, yet so loving.

No words were exchanged. But it warmed my heart in so many ways. For a moment, I realized how mature she is becoming. How much she can comfort me and make me feel loved. Then I realized that she is growing into this beautiful, loving little girl. For so many years, it has been me going over to her to snuggle. And making her feel safe, loved, and comforted.

I may feel like my days are filled with giving to the girls, but moments like these make it all worth it. And makes me realize I am getting way more than I could ever give.

Dear Charlie.

Charlie- Bear,

You are my sunshine. Because of you my heart is exploding with love. I feel so extremely honored to be your mom. I almost wonder what I did so well to deserve you. I can't wait to watch you grow and discover the world.

I love you all in my heart.

Happy 6 month birthday.

-mama

Overheard.

Liv was getting ready for nap time and I could tell she was going to try to work me. She came to the door 2 times in 5 minutes with a new excuse. I told her to she can't get up again or I will get mad. She said okay.

About 5 minutes later, she came to the door. I stomped my way up the stairs, and was mad. She was crying.....I said what is wrong (in a kinda mean voice).
She cried and whine, "But mommy, my nose can't breathe. " I said, "What?!"

She said again all congested, "MY NOSE CAN"T BREATHE."

Overheard.

I love you in all of my WHOOOLLLLLEEEE BODY (she used to say in all of my heart).

Overheard.

Mommy, can you turn on the Oatmeal? (she meant mobile in lo's crib)

Suzie "Homemaker" Jr.

6 months birthday.

I love you, Charlie-Bear.