Things that come out of a two year old's mouth

Tonight Scott had a work function after work so he didn't get home until really late which meant that I was on my own for dinner, baths, and bed.  Since the days seem a little longer when Scott works late, I try to extend everything we do.

The kids ended up taking a longer than usual bath.  I think it was at least 30 minutes maybe a few minutes longer that they were submersed in water.  Once we were done and I was ready to get them out of the tub Katie looked at her hands and noticed they looked all wrinkled and shriveled up.

Katie: (Looking at me with concern and with big puppy dog eyes and a whimpering mouth.  Although she didn't say anything I knew what she was thinking.)

Jess:  "Oh, Katie.  It's okay.  You were in the tub so long that your fingers got all wrinkled.  It's just from the water.  As soon as we get you all dried off and wait a few minutes your fingers will be back to normal."

Katie (While looking at her hands and fingers and shaking them to try and get the wrinkles off):  "Eeeehhhhh"

Jess (In hindsight, probably not the best thing to say at this point):  "Katie, your fingers are all wrinkles up.  Let's look at your toes.  Do you think they are all wrinkled too?"

Katie (Sitting in the tub, takes her foot out of the water and looks at the bottom of her foot and she just completely loses it as soon as she sees her wrinkled foot!)

Once we got her dried off and in PJ's and read two books, she looked at her hands and said "All better Mamma!"

Funny Phrases

Scenario 1:
Mikey:  "I am sick of Katie.  You need to return her!"

Jess:  "Mikey, that is not a nice thing to say.  Why are you sick of Katie.  Where am I supposed to return her too?"

Mikey:  "Well, I don't care.  Take her back to the mail box!"

Scenario 2- courtesy of my mom while the kids were at my parents home.

The kids sleep on these soft bed cots in the office when they stay at my parents.  One morning Katie woke up early and snuck into bed to cuddle with my Dad.  Mikey woke up and immediately goes to the bathroom.  He then walked into my parents room and saw that my Dad was still sleeping (he didn't see Katie), he then went back to the office and then looked around the house but did not see Katie.  He walks back into my parents room and is at this point crying hysterically saying "I lost Katie baby!"

Sentimental Heirlooms

I have been wanting to create this post for a while.....a long while....probably for at least a year.

I initially started this blog as a way for those far and away Grandparents to see what the kids and Scott and I are up to and possibly add a smile to their face or give them some stories to tell to their friends over a meal, cup of tea or card game.  I wanted to use modern technology to connect us at a deeper level that hundreds or thousands of miles prevented us from physically doing.

Over the past week, I was restricted to doing absolutely nothing.  It gave me the time needed to really reflect on everything that we've done over the past 3 or 4 or 5 years and I was also able to read many of the previous posts on our family blog.  I realized that this blog, while initially created for the primary purpose of those far and away Grandparents, over time has transformed into a daily journal if you will not only for family but also for me, for my husband and for my kids to look back and reflect upon.  This blog has become something very special and has evolved and will continue to evolve as we grow as a family.  I find that I not only like to post activities that we do on a daily basis but also sprinkle in some posts about food, funny phrases that only kids can come up with, noting characteristics in the kids that you can't gather from just a photo, lessons that I, as a Mom am slowly learning along the way, and those moments of gratitude.

I also like being somewhat selective in sharing those really special and meaningful moments, as I know that some moments are just too notable and sacred  to share and while they do not share space on this blog they are slowly filling up our hearts and creating that special bond that only our little family is privy too.

As I mentioned previously, I have been wanting to create this post for a long while as I noticed this before but looking around the empty home this past week, I realized that I have these sentimental heirlooms everywhere.  No, I don't mean that my home is only filled with hand me downs from family, but just about every room in our home has something meaningful from a family member.

I definitely have my own style that is different from others, say my Mom and my Grandma but the way I've incorporated those special heirlooms makes the transition between different styles seem almost seamless.  I really enjoy using or seeing these heirlooms everyday and each time it makes me think of that certain person and all those good, warm thoughts associated with that item come flooding back into the present moment and bring that heirloom back to life.

So as I'm here by myself recovering and seem to be alone, I know that I'm not really alone.  I have these great special items from loving family members all around me and while I know they are not physically here in person I am nonetheless surrounded by them at all times.  I love you all.

While I have many sentimental heirlooms in our home, some only come out during certain holidays while others are for show all the time.  Below are just a few very special items that fill our home.  If you come over for a meal, you will probably be eating something that I cooked on my Grandma's baking sheet or wipe your mouth with a napkin that Grandma Ruth monogrammed, or even spill a little food on my Grandma's lace tablecloth.  So come on over and be surrounded by great memories and help us make more memories with these sentimental heirlooms.

This antique and detailed mirror hangs in Katie's bedroom.  It hung for years in my Grandparent's home that was right across the street from the home where I grew up.  Each time I look into it, I wonder how many other hundred of times I looked into this or how many times other family members have looked at their reflection.  I also wonder how many times and how many minutes Katie will spend looking at herself in this very mirror in the future. I love that it is the home for Katie's first running medal.  We are just creating more memories with this piece.

See the gorgeous detailed frame with a natural antique finish that you just can't get these days.  Those are little mirrors within the frame.  I just love it.

This comforter/quilt was hand created by my Great Grandma and now keeps my little daughter warm in those cold winter months.  Katie also rests her head at night time on a little Minnie Mouse pillow made and monogrammed by Scott's Grandma Ruth.

This is a Jesus sign given to me by my Grandma Jirik.  I remember seeing these signs every time I'd go over to her home.  It now has a home on Mikey's dresser in his bedroom.  It reminds us that while Jesus may not always be readily visible, if you look hard enough he is always there. 

I love these feathers.  They were found on my parent's property and come from turkeys and pheasants that frequently walk through their grass. 

This is a plate from my Grandma Cichy.  I use it as a butter dish when I need room temperature butter.  I love gazing at the hand painted scenery.  It makes me dream of a simpler time.

This is an item that is kept in my super secret box of special items.  It's a Webster dictionary that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Running your fingers over the worn leather makes me smile and when you open it up....

......you see this which makes me smile even bigger.  The hand written signatures of the three previous owners.  Scott's Grandfather Robert was the first owner and  it was passed down to Scott's father, Bill who passed it down to Scott who will pass it down to Michael.  

You probably could find similar dish towels in a store, but I guarantee you can't find these hand embroidered chicken dish towels that have dried over two generations of dishes.  These are from my Grandma Jirik.

This is a good example of mixing the heirloom with my style.  I have some hand painted Russian nesting dolls that my Grandma purchased when she was in Russia resting right next to a framed "M" that was the cake topper at our wedding.  It only took me 5 1/2 years to finally frame our "M".  I'm hoping that Michael will use it at his wedding many years from now.

A very soft and worn hand made doll made just for Katie from Grandma Ruth keeps Katie company at night.  

Our monogrammed napkins have been used during special occasions.

We recently just used Grandma's lace tablecloth for the first time.

A few months ago, I was updating some of the frames we have around our home with new and more recent photos.  I wanted to frame the below picture of Mikey as this totally signifies our time living in New York City.  Everything about this picture is an accurate description of our daily NYC life.  We love NY, Mikey always saw the sites of the city from his glider board on the back of our beloved stroller, we stopped frequently for little drinks/treats like the smoothie he has in his hands to keep him cool on a hot day, his favorite hat with Scott's favorite sports team displayed on the top.  Although Mikey is the only person in this picture, there are parts of this picture that remind me of everyone....knowing Katie is sitting in the front of the stroller, Scott's love of Syracuse and me taking the photo.  So now you know why I just had to frame it.  But putting it in the frame wasn't the best part.  The best part is below, getting the surprise of seeing a photo I had long ago forgotten about, which was a picture of my Grandpa Cichy.  It's a picture of him doing what he did best.  Sitting in the sun, at the beach, napping while the hot sun tans his leather like skin.  It embodies everything I remember about him to a "T".  

Do you do the same thing?  Keep previous photos in the same frame and add a new photo to the top?  It's sort of a nice secret....seeing others look at our framed photos but knowing that there are many other photos behind the one being currently framed brings a smile to my face.  It's the little things in life, isn't?

One of our currently framed photos. Mikey in NYC.

An older framed photo of my Grandpa Cichy.  I miss him so much.

Winter - I'm over you.

We have had a very rough winter here in CT.  We have heard from a few people that this has been the worst winter in decades.  I can't wait for spring to get here.  We are going to have a few short days of warmer, spring like temperatures to hopefully melt some of this snow.

An accumulation from this winter's weather.

Distant memories of what the patio looked like back in July.

Surprising pics

I was going through the pictures on my phone last night.  I miss the kids.  I can't wait to see them....10 days is to long.

I found these sweet pictures on my phone.  I don't know how they got there or when they were taken nor do I care.  I'm just glad they are there.

Soft boiled eggs

I haven't had a soft boiled egg in years....many years....and I've been searching for a technique for a while....and I think I've finally found it.

I made them the last 2 mornings and they turned out perfectly each time.

You can find the technique (here).

Enjoy!

Checking In

Hey everyone!

Just checking in with you all.  I'm doing great after surgery.

We got to the hospital about 6:30 am and we left the hospital about 3:30 pm.  After waiting for a while (they were behind schedule) I did a quick training circuit in the waiting room area to burn off some anxiety and got some crazy looks by other patients.  I didn't care though, it made me feel better.  The surgery itself was quick, about 1 hour, and I had minimal pain. The doctor said everything went really well.

About 2 days after taking it easy and feeling great, I was weening myself off the pain meds and the anesthesia was wearing off and I was really sick for about 18 hours but am now feeling back up to par.

I had my first cleaning at the doctors office today and he said I'm exceeding his expectations and that I should just keep doing what I'm doing (which is a whole lot of nothing) because it's working.  Typically, I will have 2 more cleanings over the next 2 weeks and then in about 2 months if all goes well I'll be completely out of the woods!  He reminded me yet again, that even though I'm feeling well I really do need to take it easy for another week and a half, as I can quickly tire myself out, catch an infection (which is apparently really easy to do during the recovery period), over do it, etc.

Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers.  Hoping to get back to my old self real soon!

A GPS unit on my hospital bracelet.  They would have tracked me down, had I decided to make a run for it.

Lots of waiting. I was in 2 nice over-sized, itchy, paper gowns for most of the day.

Drive home.  I was really out of it and bleeding a lot.

Day 1 post surgery- tired/ rough night and less bleeding.

5 days post surgery, right after cleaning.

Ready for Surgery

I have my surgery scheduled for tomorrow at 10 am on Valentine's Day.  It's currently snowing really hard outside as we are weathering a Nor'easter right now.  We had a very busy couple of days this week between our usual schedule/school/speech/gym class, one final doctors appointment, our car breaking down....twice, running errands to beat this storm and driving the kids to PA and back.  Phew.  I wasn't sure where I'd find the time to get it all done, but here I am on Thursday, in a quiet house with no kids making noise, taking it easy, with very little to do today except wait, do a little cleaning and laundry, shovel, pray we can make it into NYC tomorrow and make some meals.  I'm trying to stay busy and not think about the surgery and I know it will all be over before I know it.

I'm actually not worried about the surgery itself, but am a little apprehensive about the recovery part.  Scott said to consider it as "vacationing on pain pills!"  He always knows how to make me laugh and lighten a situation.  Hoping in two weeks I feel like a new person who can breath!

In the meantime I'll be resting here....I just purchased a new cozy down comforter, a duvet, and even have fancy Euro Shams and a new fur body pillow.  For some reason this makes me feel a little more like an adult.  Now we just need a new headboard to complete the look.  Hoping to make our bedroom feel a little more like a sanctuary.....as the kids get older the days seem to be more hectic so it's nice to have a relaxing place after they go to bed.

Cabela's

Today I drove the kids down to PA to stay at my parents for the next 10 days or so while I am recovering from surgery.  My Dad helped me shave about 90 minutes off my travel time by meeting me at (Cabela's).  It 's a huge store filled with everything outdoors related.  It has been way to long since I've been there with the kids as we normally do a quick stop in NJ when we drive to my parents but this was a perfect opportunity for the kids to see some animals and stretch our legs.

Driving a huge camo vehicle.

Papa's so silly. That polar bear will bite your finger!

The didn't want to get too close.

A huge safari section with lots of animals.  

A huge, life size elephant!!

So pretty up close.  I wish it wasn't stuffed.

A rhino and lots of other wildlife you'd find in Africa.

A really neat section of lionesses.  

4 wheelers.

An aquarium section too.

Valentine's Day Cards

With Valentine's quickly approaching, and a huge snow storm on the way, the kids celebrated Valentine's Day at school today. A few weeks ago we checked out the Valentine's at the store and Mikey immediately picked out the Lego Star Wars valentines.  Katie and I on the other hand weren't as lucky.  I didn't really see anything that was age appropriate for little girls, so we improvised and made our own at home.  It was fun!  It took a few days to put together, between creating the art work, cutting, gluing, stickers, and writing names.  The kids really got into it.  I'm really enjoying their ages right now, everything is just a little bit more fun and a little bit less work.

The beginning of Katie's valentines.

The end product.  We cut her artwork into heart shapes, she stuck on Barbie stickers and punched a hole for a piece of string.....

...and wrote "You are sweeter than a cupcake!" on it before attaching it to a cupcake water bottle.

Mikey's valentine's.  He has a much larger class so he had lots of practice writing his name many times over.