Overheard...

I was having a mushy moment while hanging with Liv.  

I said, "Liv, when I look at you, I still see that little tiny baby I brought home from the hospital.  I think I always will."  

Liv had  a puzzled look on her face.  She then looked in the mirror.  Opened her eyes as wide as she could using her thumb and index finger.  She paused for a moment.  Then she turned to me and said, "But, mommy.........I don't see it.  I don't see me as a baby when I came home from the hospital."

Love her.

Loopy Liv.

This girl went from camera shy, to a true ham.  Not sure how long this will last....

Appetizer.

The rain didn't stop us this weekend from some r&r at the shore.  I love being on our small little peaceful island of SH no matter what the weather is.  

So nostalgic.  Reminds me of all of those barefoot summers.  Walking everywhere.  Riding my bike to pick up fresh produce for my mom for dinner.  Picking and painting shells.  Spending hours on the dock.  After dinner boat rides to jump the waves.  Fishing for flounder.  Watching the sunset.  

Being on a small island, just simplifies things.  Being surrounded by water is so tranquil. I used to set a goal of being barefoot from June to September- all of the time. I think we would leave the island three times in three months.  Something about that place just screams my childhood.

Anyways, Ry and I had a great impromptu dinner date on Saturday at Jay's on Third (BYOB) with his Blue Moons and my bottle of Shiraz.  Just hanging around.  Taking it all in.  The stillness.  Before the big storm (memorial day weekend, when all the shoebees come down- Am I officially a shoebee now or will I always be a seasonal local?)

Just an appetizer for the season.

9 months.

Charlotte,

You have been in our lives for 9 months.  Actually, double that and make it 18 months since conception.  You have found a place in my heart (and soul) that I never knew existed.  I now know that there is a place in my heart that has no limits.  I can love you every day and kiss you every minute of every day, but there still is room for more love and more kisses.  

It all makes sense now.  After having your sister, I discovered a different kind of love that never existed before.  To look in her eyes and see me.  I didn't think it was possible to be able to look into someone else's eyes and see me too.   But, I do.  

The two of you are so different, but yet so similar.  Is it at all possible that I have known you my whole life?   And if I haven't, how come I don't remember my life without you?

You have given me such a gift.  You have taught me so much.  I see such depth when I look into your eyes.  I see a soul that is wiser beyond a year.  Thank you for giving me such a purpose in life.  I love you.

And I will always be the rock for you to cling to in a storm.

I love you, Bean.

Rubber Duckies.

Yummy!

Last week, I gave Charlotte pieces of Ian's chicken nuggets (free of all 8 common allergens).  I have been living off of them myself for a quick go to lunch.  She had about two bite.  Different texture, but she will get the hang of it before I know it.  

I also made her homemade Rice Pancakes (brown rice flour, Vanilla Rice milk).  She really LIKED them!  I am so happy that she will be able to explore some normal foods (just tweeked a bit).

starting young.

Rock out with my guitar.

pool time.

Day in the park (outback).

Yoga class.

Today we went to a Kiddie yoga class with the cousins.  It was SO adorable seeing them show off their down dogs and tree poses.  Afterwards, the teacher provided a healthy spread and an earthy craft in the garden.

Boy do I miss going to yoga with Liv.  We haven't gone since I was pregnant with Charlotte.  I hope I can do it with Charlotte when Liv is in school next year.

(this video is hysterical because Charlotte was actually doing the poses and following instructions...)

Sunshine.

Yo yo, Lolo.

almost 9 months old.

Is it true that my baby will be a year old in 12 weeks?  I am in denial.  I found the perfect allergy free baker in the area for her first birthday cake (which means I can enjoy it too)!

3 and a half going on 15.

This morning I woke up with Charlotte pretty early.  She has a cold and on an AM pooping schedule (argh).  Every once in a while I checked the video monitor to see what Liv was doing.  She usually wakes up around 7:30 ish.  At about 8 o'clock, I checked the monitor and she was not in bed anymore.  I thought it would be a few seconds before I hear her door open.  But I didn't.

Instead I heard a few drawers open and close.  About 15 minutes later Liv opened her door.  She was fully dressed.  It may not seem like a big deal (since she has been dressing herself for awhile lately).  Today was different.  Usually her outfits are a hodge podge of clashing colors.  Today she was totally matching and ready to go.  

In order for her to do this, I know she had to go  in her pants drawer to get pants, her tops drawer to get a shirt, her panties drawer to get panties, her sock drawer to get socks (and rummage through to find two matching socks, which she did), AND get her step stool to reach the top of her dresser for her shoes.

If it weren't for her binky in her mouth when she came to her door, I would have thought I was in a coma for 12 years and just woke up.  

PS. I know the binky has to go, but some days that is my only reminder that she isn't 15.

Ice cream truck.

Long gone are the days when Liv thought the ice cream truck was the "music truck".  That worked for two years but this year it isn't flying.  She knows he is good for more than just bringing joyful music to the neighborhood.

The time has come where every night between 6:15 and 6:45, he pays a visit past our house.  It is such an amazing and fun-filled memory that Liv will have of her childhood.  

There are some new guidelines that the Katrina household has set for this upcoming "Soft Serve Season".  Mr. Softie does not have enough ice cream for every kid in the neighborhood, so Liv has to share the ice cream truck with her fellow friends and neighbors.  Last night, Liv waved to Mr. Softie as he parked in front of our house and served the children that didn't get it the evening before (when Liv did).  She knew the next night was "Livi's night".  And Tomorrow night is Holly's night (her friend down the street).  Basically, everyone has their special night and the mommy and daddy's are given a schedule to know which night is their night.

This new guideline prevents me from being the meany......no tantrums.

I am not sure how many years (or weeks) we can pull this "Rule" off.  But is it working for now. 

Milestones.

Charlotte has been really busy high fiving, waving, and eating her puffs.  She also feels super fancy in her big girl carseat that matches her sisters (cowmouflage).   I can't believe she is going to be 9 months old next weekend!@!!!

She loves sitting and playing with her toys.  She will sit there and play with the same toy for 15 minutes.  Turning it, tasting it, banging it, etc.  I think she is going to be our little woodstock baby.  She is very laid back and not in a rush to move around.  I think I need that after Liv.  She was climbing the stairs at this point.  I am not in a rush for her to become mobile.....  She is my little baby....(Please don't get too big too fast!)

A proud mommy moment.

Yesterday, I got a letter from Liv's dance school telling me to keep it a secret, but that she will be receiving an "Award of Excellence" at her dance recital (at Immaculata University in June).  I know my little girl is only 3 and this is such a "stage mom" reaction.... but my eyes welded up.  The letter said due to her attendance, ability to follow directions and perform at ease, desire to strive for perfection, demonstrates leadership and willingness to help others makes her exceptional.  

In the past two years with dance, she has come such a long way.  She still may be shy at times, but she has developed such a confidence level.  She is getting so big and independent.  She will always, always, always be my little girl.  

The feeling I got when opening that letter is a feeling I will have alot as she gets older.  I am so incredibly proud of the little person she is.

Just like "Unka Dwan" (Uncle John)

Growing up, It was odd to see Johnny without his lifejacket on.  He LIVED on the dock.  He would spend hours at a time with a net, trying to catch Sunnies.

Looks like Liv may follow his footsteps.

night vision.

Three year olds apparently are equipped with the superpower of night vision.  Now when I tuck Liv in for bed, she find things misplaced in her room (or new things that I put away) and brings them to the door.  She wants to know what it is, why it is there, and where it came from.

Tonight, she found a white blanket that is Charlotte's but I used to drape over her dolls in her toy cradle.  I thought she would like.  Apparently not....