Three Little Bears

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

I have the sweetest cousin ever. She and her husband stopped the other day to bring us homemade bread (my grandma's recipe), apple butter and strawberry jam.

Even better, she made her this awesome gift! It's a dollhouse for the three little bears.

When you open it up, there's all this awesome stuff inside!

I can't get over the details - like the picnic basket has plates with food and a three layer cake. It is one of the coolest gifts ever and the fact that she made it is amazing! Thank you, thank you!

White Trash Bath 2010

You may remember that my parents MN place doesn't have a bath tub, thus last year we came up with our white trash bath (wtb) system. Since she's a lot bigger this year, wtb had to get a lot bigger too!

It looks like she's telling me to stop taking her picture. Guess I better not tell her I posted them on the blog, huh?

MN Summertime

I'm trying out blogging from an app. It seems to be a bit easier. At least I can type and move my cursor around. This is such an adjustment! :)

Here's Rylee at GaGa and Papa's house. She's trying out her new deck chair. A must for summertime!

Another must for summertime is corn on the cob. Rylee's never really had it before (she was always too chicken to bite). It was yummy, messy fun!

Pool Party

 

 

I uploaded pics to blogger while I was at my inlaws and am trying to edit the into posts on phone, but I can't figure out how to move my cursor withou accidentally erasing and goofing stuff up. I guess you'll just have to see the pics first and the read about them. I'm sure you'll survive!

The above pics were actually from our pool party. I just love that hula skirt - Rylee wore it on her birthday last year too. I especially like the pic where it looks like she is doing the hula dance!

Mobile phone

I remember when I was on bed rest and I had to blog while lying down and with one hand. It was slow going. Since I don't have Internet access at my parents house, I'm trying to text my post from my phone. It's just about as frustrating! I may not be able to blog or read much under these conditions. :)

The day of travel was pretty crappy and not all of it was Rylee's fault. The plane was late so she missed her nap window and then dinner during the flight. By the time she ate and got to sleep in the car it was 9:30 pm. Mind you we were supposed to get in at 4!

That's all the typing I have patience for. Sorry for any typos!

Harmonious

Just in case Rylee shows no talent for the piano (like me!), I bought her this harmonica. For a girl who can scream with the best of the horror flickers, she doesn't blow that air very well. She can only make a tune if she tips her head waaaay back first. Enjoy!



Her Great-Great Grandma would be so proud. I'm sure she'll be playing Johan pa Snippen in no time!

Too Many Chores...

... is my excuse for not blogging lately. Trying to get everything done prior to leaving for MN has me going in a gazillion directions. Plus, I have a bridal shower to attend today, a pool party to host tomorrow, packing on Monday... aaahhh!

All I have time to post is this silly bedtime pic. I've been thinking lately how fast Rylee is growing up and how big she's getting, then I go upstairs one night and find her wearing Jon's ankle socks. I guess she's pretty small afterall.

 

P.S. Laundry day is to blame for her lack of cute pjs. :)

Weird Wednesday

**I just noticed that Monday's post was my 666th! No wonder I felt compelled to write about all my Rio/Rylee drama. Then again, today's post would have made an interesting 666th as well...

I like to frequent a quiet, out of the way park because... it's quiet and out of the way! Possibly it's too quite at times.

When I first arrived today there was an older couple walking around, a guy using the exercise stations, and a maintenance guy using the dreaded leaf blower. Rylee turns into a "clingon" whenever she hears one (i.e. wraps her arms around my neck in the protect me choke hold.)

After a while, I managed to peel her off and get her into the swing. I was just standing there taking in the surroundings when I noticed:

1) The older couple had left.
2) The lawn guy was finishing up and starting to load things into his truck.
3) This would leave me alone at the park with the exercise guy.
4) A guy that drives a white panel van with blacked out windows.
5) A guy who is working out in long sleeves, long pants, combat boots and heavy duty gloves.
6) A guy who is carrying a large, heavy dumbbell.
7) A guy who is watching us and making his way around the exercise circle in our direction.

My mind weighed the two options:

Could be he's a nice guy who likes to work out and wears heavy boots for resistance and warm clothing to help him sweat out his toxins.

Could be he's planning to bludgeon us to death with his dumbbell and haul us off in his panel van.

With only a minute to decide, I erred on the cautious (possibly paranoid) side and get the heck out of there!


**If Rylee only knew that, in my mind, the only thing standing between us and certain death was a man with a leaf blower, maybe she'd feel differently about the machine!

Armed

I wanted to take a picture of my arms so you could have a visual to go with this post, but it didn't turn out. No, they haven't turned all muscular and Linda Hamilton-y. {Remember Terminator 2 (or 3?) when she was doing the pull ups in the insane asylum and pumping her shotgun one handed?} Arms like that would require actual muscle sculpting type exercises so obviously that is out. What I wanted to show you was the inside of my forearms with their red scratches and purple bruises... that are totally Rio and Rylee's fault!

Rio versus the UPS Guy
The Problem:
1) Rio despises men who deliver us packages (maybe because none of them are ever for her?).
2) We get deliveries several times a week since Jon has all his work crap sent here (in an attempt to not hassle with Big M's shipping and receiving procedures) and shops online for all his aquarium and hunting supplies (in an effort to save us time and money I suppose).
3) These deliveries are timed perfectly to ensure that they occur right in the middle of Rylee's nap! For some reason or another, waking up an hour early to a dog going bat-crap crazy makes Rylee less than cheerful. I'm not even going to mention what it does to my mood.

The Solution:
Over the last several months, the UPS Guy and I have worked out a "solution." He beeps his horn when he's a half a block away from our house, giving me just enough time to drop whatever I'm doing, run like a crazy person to the door, scoop up Rio, and get her outside before she launches into her attack.

While this allows Rylee to sleep through Rio's insanity, it's not pleasant for me. I have to hold this writhing, barking, foaming, growling, razor-clawed beast in my arms while we make the package exchange and stupid computer pad scribble signing (it looks like a gorilla signed my name whether I'm trying to write nicely or not so why they even bother is beyond me). By the time I come inside, my left arm has been torn to shreds from wrist to elbow.

What I really want is for the UPS Guy to change his route to accommodate me. Is that too much to ask?! I'm friendly, nice, and usually well-groomed at that hour of the day (I can't say the same for the Fed Ex guy who caught me with my hair all askew, black makeup smudges under my eyes and wearing my furry pink bathrobe with the monkey faces on it - I swear I was literally stepping into the shower when he rang the door bell). Since the above plan doesn't seem all that feasible, I'm thinking of investing in one of those leather gloves the animal handlers wear when they have a giant-taloned bird on their arm. Or possibly giving Rio a large dose of tranquilizers every day at noon...

Rylee versus Me!
The Problem:
Rylee's toddler 'tude is in full force (every other weekday and on alternating weekends). The hair pulling is impressive. I've only previously witnessed that kind of "I'm not letting go no matter what" tenacity during some junior high girl fights. But it's the biting that has my arms all-a-purple!

It usually occurs when I'm reaching across her to pick her up (and drag her to the naughty chair). She turns her little head and bites that delicate area of wrist flesh preferred primarily by toddlers and vampires.

The Solution:
I'm not sure. I've considered carrying her only by her ankles (or her neck) - just kidding! - or am I? :) Do they make baby straight jackets? Not that I could get her in one anyway. I mean all those buckles to fasten? I can barely get the two velcro pieces on her diaper closed! Ahh, the joys of parenthood...


**The extent of Rylee's tantrums may have been exaggerated for post humor - emphasis on "may." It depends on which alternating day you talk to me! :)

Potty Time

We've had more fun & busy days around here (shocker!).

Fri - Rylee and I babysat Norah for the morning. It was so much fun! Norah is quite possibly the sweetest baby ever. Rylee had fun playing with her and was content to have me carry her and feed her - I was worried she'd be jealous.

Sat - After a nice pool day, I got a much-needed night on the town with the girls (Venessa, Monica, & Laura). We had dinner at The Pub and then went to a movie. The movie was okay, but the conversation was great. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Thank you, Jon, for babysitting!

Sun - Today was a mish-mash of activities. We went to see our friend's new house (it's awesome and not as far away from us as I had thought - yeah!) and then hit the park until it started to rain. Jon (continuing his super-husband-daddy trend) let me sneak out and go shopping during Rylee's nap and then made me delicious crab sandwiches for dinner.

I thought I'd leave you with this pic of Rylee on her potty chair. We aren't officially potty training, we're just getting her used to the idea of sitting on the potty without her diaper. She thinks it's fun - especially if she can sneak away and run around without her diaper. (This has led to her peeing in my closet and pooping in my kitchen so I kind of frown on the no diaper thing!)

 

Ups and Downs

We had an interesting assortment of ups and downs today:

- Took Rylee and Rio for an early morning walk, check.

- Took Rylee to see "Dr. S" for a post-antibiotic checkup. Healthy, check. In and out of the office in under 30 minutes, double check. Plenty of time to check out a new park, triple check.

- New park has all my favorite features: ramps, check; sun shades, double check; separate toddler park, triple check! Dogs possibly allowed?...checking...

- Came home. Let Rio out to the backyard to pee, check. Found her eating a dead bird... ewww! Called vet, check. Rinsed her mouth out with water, double check. Decided to never let her kiss me on the face again (or at least until I come back from MN in July and have forgotten about this), triple check.

- Put park-exhausted Rylee down for a nap, check. Let her sleep for a glorious three hours, double check. Skipped daily nap chores to read, delightful check.

- Took Rylee and Rio for evening walk, check. Was annoyed by vulgar comments from middle school hoodlums, double check. (C'mon, I have a two year old with me!!!!)Managed to ignore comments and get home without further altercation, triple check.

- Time for TV and relaxation, check!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quickie

We've had a couple of fun (& busy) days here. Yesterday, Karen & Baby James came for a visit. Today, we met Jess & Baby Norah at the park - the very filthy park. Rylee has never been that dusty and dirty before!

Quick "when my Mom was little" story: She used to give the resorters pony rides. Her horse, Lady, knew the drill so well that my Mom would walk and Lady would follow with her nose pressed into my Mom's back.

This picture of Rylee reminded me of that story.

 

(Mom, I may not have had time to write you a Mother's Day post this year, but you're always a part of all my posts... because you're always a part of me! Love you!)

Mother's Day Action

Today I made the mistake of showing Rylee how to jump into the pool. The problem isn't that she's afraid, of course, she loves it. The problem is all she wants to do is jump "again" and it's really tiring to be the one doing the catching. :)

Thus Jon and I had to switch places many times. One time when I was catching, I told Rylee that my arms were getting tired. She didn't even miss a beat before she said, "Daddy turn." Jon and I just burst out laughing. (You probably had to be there.)

Anyway, I put my new camera to good use taking action shots of the jumps. The continuous shooting feature worked perfectly. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

New Camera Pics

So far my new camera pics look exactly like my old camera pics. I think I need to tweak the settings a bit, but I'm not worried. Overall, the camera is very easy to use and I am quite happy with my Christmas/birthday/Mother's Day gift. :)

Today was your typical sunny SoFla day. Rylee was excited to model her new "tanning swimsuit" (she was getting a ridiculous farmers tan from her other one as you can see in the pics).

 

Don't worry, I still lathered her up with sunscreen and made her wear a sun hat! :)

 

Our big pool finally warmed up enough for Rylee to swim in it. She had a splashy good time.

 

Uncle Pete also came over to try out his new kayak. The guys didn't get too much exercise with it. It only took about three paddles to make it from one edge of the pool to the other!

 

Boo Boo

Years ago, when my Mom was just a little girl, she spent the day with her grandfather. It was an adventurous day of firsts. When my Grandmother came to pick her up, my Mom said: "I chewed snus, drank whiskey and cut off my finger." Of course, my Grandmother almost had heart failure - though I'm not sure what she was most concerned about in that list!

The finger, although wrapped in a huge amount of bandage, was just a little cut. My Mom had, in fact, tried a little snus. My Great-Grandfather gave her the tiniest pinch just to show her how awful it was. The whiskey she drank by accident when she grabbed the closest thing on the table to wash away the horrible taste of the tobacco!

You might be wondering why I'm telling you this story. Well, you need to know it to understand the pictures below. :)

Rylee cut her finger today. (...on an M&M candy of all things. That chocolate shell that makes them "melt in your mouth and not in your hands" is apparently quite sharp when smashed between ones fingers.) Here she is with her Flinstone's band aid.

 

And to recreate my Mom's day, here she is with her "whiskey." If only I'd had some chewing tobacco... :)

 

The Great Cornholio

Rylee's silliness continues. Here she is doing her Beavis impersonation. :)
(Sorry it's just a blurry camera phone pic.)

 

My weird string of... we'll call it "off luck" (since it's more annoying than bad) also continues. The rear brakes on my car need fixing/replacing (they smell hot and burny). Thus, my car is in the shop. I'm borrowing my Mom's car for a few days and guess what... her air conditioning isn't working! Am I not supposed to be cool?

Willful Much?

Blog photo and story courtesy of Jon.

Rylee is starting to feel better, but she's keeping up the "stinkeriness" just for fun. Tonight, at the end of dinner, Jon asked her to take her finger out of her nose. She stuck it up there even farther and left it in there for a good two minutes (or long enough for him to find it amusing and snap this pic anyway). :)

 

Updates

Here's what you've missed the last couple of days:

- What's the last thing you want to deal with when you have a child with a fever? How about your A/C freezing up? Pretty high up on the list when it's a bazillion degrees outside. Argh! Luckily, we shut the house up, pulled all the blinds and have managed to limp it along. If we don't get it fixed soon though, I'm guessing a temporary move to Mom's place might be in order...

- Not a big deal, but just to add a little more fun to my life, my bathroom is also infested with those little water ants. Yeah me!

- Rylee is OVER being sick. Yesterday she was the stinker of all stinkers (lets just say Jon was giddy to be going to work today and Rio was wishing she could have gone somewhere too). :)

- The good news is she's feeling somewhat better today. Her fever is officially gone and she's off her chewables.

- She's tolerating the antibiotic though she cries and hugs me sooo tight when we tell her it's time to take her meds. Then she weakly claps when she's done and gets a "candy treat" (Gerber gummies). She kind of resents Jon since he is the medicine shooter. (I opted for holder - it's a 2 person process!) Luckily she forgets about it in 5 minutes.

- My new DSLR camera came today... along with accessories, gadgets, software, manuals... I am terrified. I think I'm too stressed to deal with learning about it right now, but soon I'll have some nice new photos for the blog... once I figure out how to turn the thing on!

Little Diaper Girl

So Rylee's fever didn't magically go away yesterday (dang). That meant another trip to the Doctor this morning. They saw pus in the back of her throat (a new development since Wednesday). It wasn't strep and her ears still look fine though she does have some swelling on that same side. They are running some other bacterial cultures (including mono - but they doubt very highly it is that). In the meantime, she has started the dreaded antibiotics (menacing duh duh duh duh). You may remember Rylee's lactose intolerance is a result of her last antibiotic run. Can't wait to see what happens this time! (I type sarcastically).

On a lighter note, here's a camera phone shot from the appointment. Of course the Doctor walked in right as I was taking the pic so she captioned it: "Little Amish Girl"

 

In case you can't tell, she's wearing a diaper on her head. The velcro tab was perfect for securing under her chin - just in case you parents out there forget to pack your kid's hat someday. :)

P.S. Anyone have helpful hints for getting your kid to swallow truly awful tasting liquid medication? We switched to chewable Motrin, but her antibiotic is liquid again. They don't make them chewable too, do they?! Help!!!!!