Lexi's surgery went fine. I, on the other hand, was a mess. I was crying in the waiting room (for the sum total of 15 minutes). It wasn't fun but she was fine.
We went to the beach today - that's how fine. She is wearing ear plugs when she's around water which I thought would be a big fight but it's no big deal. I had the whole family wear the ear plugs for the bath last night so that she thought it was no biggee and it seems to have worked.
She's a pretty good kid.
Today was a beautiful day. We went to the beach with John's sister and her family (they are still here from Holland). We had a great time and then we had a BBQ with John's parents and all the family. It was really nice. Their kids are such great kids, and they love playing with Brooke & Lex.
Anyway, that's the update. That's for all the kind thoughts!! Kate - thanks so much for the card it really made us smile!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Fear
I am afraid of everything. I know Mom & John think I'm being ridiculous but there are so many things to be afraid of when you have kids it's almost overwhelming. I don't feel like I'm drowning or something so lay off the "can't you take something for that" speech. Not that I'm Tom Cruise because I would if I felt it necessary. I think it's just normal fear that other people don't put in to words. I was thinking of listing out the fears but I'm not going to because I know it will go on longer than even I think it will and it makes for boring blogging.
Anyway, hopefully next week's blog will be more uplifting - I just don't have it in me this week.
Anyway, hopefully next week's blog will be more uplifting - I just don't have it in me this week.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Life & times
Here are a few highlights from the past few days:
- Lexi has learned how to talk - mostly "no" and "where did x go?" Fill in the X with Brooke, Mommy or Dadda. Also, "mo" while pointing to the plate where her X used to be. Fill in the X with chicken nuggets, noodles, m&m's or bread but apparently NOT tuna casserole. Go figure.
- Brooke, while being a genius, is not beyond 3 year old antics. She decided that using her scissors to cut the monkey's hair (it's a doll) is not enough, Yes, you guessed it - large hunks of her hair on the kitchen floor! DEREK do not panic - you really can't tell, she has a LOT of hair. I trimmed it and it looks completely normal, albeit layered now ala Madonna's new 'do. She's a trend setter, again, go figure.
- Brooke has decided that she can get out of bed whenever she wants. Surprised? Last night it was about 10 times. Turns out that she thought there was a dead caterpiller in her bed, which she didn't tell us until this morning. John & I were both rather calm considering. I only threatened to lock her in her room once. That's progress folks.
- This weekend we had John's parents, Anne (Nina) and John Sr. (Poppy) over with Jane, Binno, Mark (Brooke's new best friend) and Ava. His cousin Alison and her boyfriend Troy brought their dog, Mickey, also. It was a great time. Lots of food and wine, just like we like it!
Tonight, I am off to celebrate my mother's birthday. It's the first night out without the kids since Chicago and before that since a really long time.
Photos soon, just not today :)
- Lexi has learned how to talk - mostly "no" and "where did x go?" Fill in the X with Brooke, Mommy or Dadda. Also, "mo" while pointing to the plate where her X used to be. Fill in the X with chicken nuggets, noodles, m&m's or bread but apparently NOT tuna casserole. Go figure.
- Brooke, while being a genius, is not beyond 3 year old antics. She decided that using her scissors to cut the monkey's hair (it's a doll) is not enough, Yes, you guessed it - large hunks of her hair on the kitchen floor! DEREK do not panic - you really can't tell, she has a LOT of hair. I trimmed it and it looks completely normal, albeit layered now ala Madonna's new 'do. She's a trend setter, again, go figure.
- Brooke has decided that she can get out of bed whenever she wants. Surprised? Last night it was about 10 times. Turns out that she thought there was a dead caterpiller in her bed, which she didn't tell us until this morning. John & I were both rather calm considering. I only threatened to lock her in her room once. That's progress folks.
- This weekend we had John's parents, Anne (Nina) and John Sr. (Poppy) over with Jane, Binno, Mark (Brooke's new best friend) and Ava. His cousin Alison and her boyfriend Troy brought their dog, Mickey, also. It was a great time. Lots of food and wine, just like we like it!
Tonight, I am off to celebrate my mother's birthday. It's the first night out without the kids since Chicago and before that since a really long time.
Photos soon, just not today :)
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Add pictures
People are constantly asking me about pictures. We have a collection on Shutterfly to which I add every picture we take. I only post the best ones here but am limited so there are a lot of good ones on Shutterfly too. Also, you can add pictures to our collection so that we can all share! It's very easy just try it. I swear!
Here is the link (which is also on the right side of this page):
http://vallier.shutterfly.com/action/
I am sorry my posts are short and sweet but I am project leader for two projects right now, one of which needs to be whipped in to shape by the end of today (Thur).
I should have loads of new pics next week because our Dutch contingency (Jane, Binno, Mark & Ava) are visiting.
Here is the link (which is also on the right side of this page):
http://vallier.shutterfly.com/action/
I am sorry my posts are short and sweet but I am project leader for two projects right now, one of which needs to be whipped in to shape by the end of today (Thur).
I should have loads of new pics next week because our Dutch contingency (Jane, Binno, Mark & Ava) are visiting.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Working
Sorry no posts lately. Working a lot. Kids not sick. Not much to write about. That won't get me in trouble anyway......
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
A happy and a not so happy
So do you remember all the hoopla surrounding the binky removal?
Remember it was no big deal with Lexi Lou?
Well, let's just say that Brooke Anne Vallier has moved in to her big girl bed with less hoopla than that. Can you believe it? Me either. We came back from vacation on Friday, took down the crib in front of her, put her to bed that night - and she stayed! And has stayed for naps and bedtime ever since. I know it's sort of late to be posting about it (5 days) but I truly didn't want to jinx it. John & I are in shock.
Additionally, she is happy when she gets up in the morning, comes in and wants to "snuggle" in our bed and doesn't cry at all at night. Amazing. Last night we were reading books and apparently I'd overstayed my welcome because she said, "well, good night Mom." while I was lying there.
Basically, "see ya". That's fine with me, one step closer to independence baby!
The not so happy is that Alexis is having the tubes put in. July 28th, and do not call me to ask about it prior or I'll throw up and potentially start blathering because even though I seem to be a hard, cold, emotional wall when it comes to my babies I'm blubbering, weak pile of applesauce. Ugh. I can't even think about it. I've banned John from coming to the hospital because he's worse than me and I can't take trying to calm him down even for 15 minutes while I freak out. I'm better just acting stoic alone. She'll be fine, I know but God.
On an up note here is the list of things Alexis can say that I understand:
Thank you
Please
Blue
Pink
Water
Pancakes
Cake
Cupcake (do you see a theme here?)
Elmo (I tried, I swear, to not have them be commerialized - it's impossible)
Brooke
Daddy
Mommy
Poppy (covers Poppy and Poppa John)
Bug
Flowers
Painting
Anyway, she can talk. A lot of these things you, as a mere mortal, wouldn't be able to understand but she is supposed to have 5 - 10 words right now. She's got about 50! Another genius in our midst.
Great.
Not too soon until they realize their parents aren't always right. Oh that's right, Brooke already knows. Well, we have 6 months at least with Lex.....
Remember it was no big deal with Lexi Lou?
Well, let's just say that Brooke Anne Vallier has moved in to her big girl bed with less hoopla than that. Can you believe it? Me either. We came back from vacation on Friday, took down the crib in front of her, put her to bed that night - and she stayed! And has stayed for naps and bedtime ever since. I know it's sort of late to be posting about it (5 days) but I truly didn't want to jinx it. John & I are in shock.
Additionally, she is happy when she gets up in the morning, comes in and wants to "snuggle" in our bed and doesn't cry at all at night. Amazing. Last night we were reading books and apparently I'd overstayed my welcome because she said, "well, good night Mom." while I was lying there.
Basically, "see ya". That's fine with me, one step closer to independence baby!
The not so happy is that Alexis is having the tubes put in. July 28th, and do not call me to ask about it prior or I'll throw up and potentially start blathering because even though I seem to be a hard, cold, emotional wall when it comes to my babies I'm blubbering, weak pile of applesauce. Ugh. I can't even think about it. I've banned John from coming to the hospital because he's worse than me and I can't take trying to calm him down even for 15 minutes while I freak out. I'm better just acting stoic alone. She'll be fine, I know but God.
On an up note here is the list of things Alexis can say that I understand:
Thank you
Please
Blue
Pink
Water
Pancakes
Cake
Cupcake (do you see a theme here?)
Elmo (I tried, I swear, to not have them be commerialized - it's impossible)
Brooke
Daddy
Mommy
Poppy (covers Poppy and Poppa John)
Bug
Flowers
Painting
Anyway, she can talk. A lot of these things you, as a mere mortal, wouldn't be able to understand but she is supposed to have 5 - 10 words right now. She's got about 50! Another genius in our midst.
Great.
Not too soon until they realize their parents aren't always right. Oh that's right, Brooke already knows. Well, we have 6 months at least with Lex.....
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Back from vacation (Part II)
Storyland continues....
By far the best ride of the day was the "bamboo shoots". Remember these are kiddie rides...
..so I think all the screaming may have been unneccessary.
By far the best ride of the day was the "bamboo shoots". Remember these are kiddie rides...
..so I think all the screaming may have been unneccessary.
Back from vacation (Part II)
Storyland continues....
The bridge was Lexi's favorite "ride". Up, down, up, down. V. fun :)
Can you see John about to blow chow in this photo? No? That's too bad. It was pretty funny. These things were flying around but you can't tell because of the expert photography.
This was the first "ride" Brooke went on. We (meaning me and John) were very worried she'd freak out. She loved it! This lead to the bamboo shoot and the roller coaster shortly thereafter.
By far the best ride of the day was the "bamboo shoots". Remember these are kiddie rides...
..so I think all the screaming may have been unneccessary.
Nice framing by John Zanco on this one!
Back at the homestead the kids got to relax and watch a little tv.
We also had Dad & Karen visit (of course I didn't get one decent photo of them), went on a hike and had a date night at a great restaurant up there called Charlie's. Overall a great time.
To see more photos go to the Vallier photo link on the right.
The bridge was Lexi's favorite "ride". Up, down, up, down. V. fun :)
Can you see John about to blow chow in this photo? No? That's too bad. It was pretty funny. These things were flying around but you can't tell because of the expert photography.
This was the first "ride" Brooke went on. We (meaning me and John) were very worried she'd freak out. She loved it! This lead to the bamboo shoot and the roller coaster shortly thereafter.
By far the best ride of the day was the "bamboo shoots". Remember these are kiddie rides...
..so I think all the screaming may have been unneccessary.
Nice framing by John Zanco on this one!
Back at the homestead the kids got to relax and watch a little tv.
We also had Dad & Karen visit (of course I didn't get one decent photo of them), went on a hike and had a date night at a great restaurant up there called Charlie's. Overall a great time.
To see more photos go to the Vallier photo link on the right.
Back from vacation
We are back from vacation! We had a great time. We were very busy and we had great weather. I could go on and on but I know people like pictures so I'll get to those first.
Our first outing was to LL Bean which is pretty much what my entire wardrobe consists of. It was a nice day but a little overcast which is why I'm outfitted for the fall. Looking at these photos it appears that I am one of the psycho Moms whose kids always coordinate but that's not normally true. Just on vacation apparently.
The famous "boot" picture.
Papa John & Yia Yia with the girls outside of LL Bean.
Yia in a tent in LL Bean with the Brooke.
Our next stop was Storyland. We all had a great time (even John V)!
(continued to next post)
Our first outing was to LL Bean which is pretty much what my entire wardrobe consists of. It was a nice day but a little overcast which is why I'm outfitted for the fall. Looking at these photos it appears that I am one of the psycho Moms whose kids always coordinate but that's not normally true. Just on vacation apparently.
The famous "boot" picture.
Papa John & Yia Yia with the girls outside of LL Bean.
Yia in a tent in LL Bean with the Brooke.
Our next stop was Storyland. We all had a great time (even John V)!
(continued to next post)
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