olivia turns 4...part two

Happy 4th Birthday!

Making her wish

So excited for her first computer

New bedtime story book

Now that Aunt Katie and Papa are in town, since both have been working quite a bit lately, we celebrated Olivia's 4th birthday with pool time, yummy chocolate cake, and PRESENTS!  Olivia was getting so excited, after we told her we had to wait for Papa to finish getting ready for work tomorrow, we could celebrate her birthday.  So, what does she do? March right into Papa's office and tell him we're waiting for him and that she'd love to open her gifts now.

This child will always assume kids get at least two birthday celebrations and Santa Claus visits 3 separate times at Christmas.  During this birthday celebrate the big hit was her new laptop computer.  Aunt Katie gave her the best LeapFrog beginner's laptop computer that can be personalized with her name for emails.  Olivia sat for a while after having her cake, playing 'doing business' and sending emails with her new computer.  She is growing up so fast, it's not even funny.

Before our celebration, we went to the pool where Olivia and Nana practiced her swimming skills.  Just a few more visits and she'll officially become a fish. All in all her Birthday was a success again this year and we are so thankful to have her in our lives.

olivia turns 4...part one

Since Ryan was unable to be with us when Olivia turned 4 on May 17th, we celebrated early on Mother's Day with his family at the local bowling alley.  Olivia has been talking about a bowling party for weeks and we could not pass up 99 cent games.

The place was practically ours, since most families were off celebrating their Mother's at home, and we had a blast. Gammy kept Justin busy since he became fussy.  Olivia bowled her entire game, beating everyone by frame 2!

She enjoyed blowing out her candles on her Dora the Explorer cake, from Lunds at Byerly's...the best cake I've had in a while.  Sweet butter cream frosting that is so rich it doesn't fully melt in your mouth, AND tastes like heaven.

Presents were abundant and of course she thoroughly enjoyed opening every single gift! Again, Olivia made quite the haul, with gifts ranging from a Dora the Explorer guitar to Barbie Princess Ballerina's.  Gammy even found a Tangled doll without a bunch of small pieces, another hit with Princess Sweetpea.

The day was topped off with a spontaneous bubble blowing fest in the backyard and a NEW BIKE.  Once Mommy and Daddy realized Olivia's legs were too long for the 12" bike, a bigger and better 16" bike did the trick.  Although she's still getting used to the size, Olivia will enjoy riding her big girl bike just as fast as her tricycle.

NOTE: for some reason blogger only let me upload once photo.  I'll post some more as soon as I can!

hello again

After traveling on the road for two days, spending a week with Gammy and Pop-pop's, and now here at Nana and Papa's, I can take a breath and just sit.  I have much to update about.  Olivia's bowling birthday party (celebrated early with Daddy), our trip to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America, aka the old Camp Snoopy, the drive north itself, and selling out house.  Oh yeah, and baby #3, all things are well and on track.  Here's a little nibble for you!

oh yeah, moving is fun!

bubble time

enjoying my babies

Mommy's Monday Memory: Bliss

With a very busy week ahead of us, I have to remember to slow down and enjoy my wonderful family!

Hoppy Easter

I know I forgot my last Mommy's Monday Memory, but I got the stomach virus the Friday before and have been chilling out recovering.  My awesome Mom came down to help with the kids, then got sick herself, and stayed healthy enough for one day to travel home.  I love you Mom!

Today we ventured on base to partake in the Easter Egg Hunt.  As most of you might know, it's sponsored by MWR, which is funded by purchases made through the PX and around base.  Well,...the public is invited to these events and I disagree with inviting them completely.  Parents ran, shoved, and pushed their way to collect as many eggs as possible (there were additional big money prizes in some eggs), leaving us single parents trying to get our kids to an area with eggs, just to have rude children grab the eggs from under my kids feet.  I will miss my friends here at good ole Ft Sill but will be glad to live someplace where the military is appreciated a bit more...wait, that's the MCCS, thanks goodness!

The only redeeming quality of the day was seeing Olivia's huge smile when she ran up to say hi to the Easter Bunny. 

Justin was a bit unsure of the whole Easter Bunny situation.  He never cried, just did not want to even sit next to the big Bunny.  I did not force him, and he seemed cool with me trying to sit him next to the bunny but that was it.  After Olivia finishes watching "The Great Mouse Detective" we'll make banana bread muffins, hard boil eggs for the hunt tomorrow and make Daddy's Welcome Home sign.  Busy, busy, busy, but well worth the headache!

surgery postponed

We've decided to postpone Olivia surgery until after we move.  The surgery center here is not set up to accommodate young children.  They stated I was not allowed to stay with Olivia while she was being sedated. Sedation occurs in the OR which is sterile and I'm not allowed in the OR.  What kind of place doesn't accommodate scared children.  The least they could do was have some oral sedative, or gas mask available in the pre-op area so parents can comfort their small children.  I was just shocked and no body seemed to care.  They're reaction to my frustration was just boggling, and it seemed they didn't understand why I was hesitant to send my fully awake child into a strange room with masked people to have a gas mask applied for sedation.  The nerve!!

Oh wait, that's right, I live in southwest Oklahoma, the most hick place on earth! But all is not lost.  I confirmed with Tricare West I can get Olivia's referral process started immediately upon moving, found a Children's Hospital and Clinic's of MN facility that accepts TriCare and new patients.  Plus, after explaining my situation, the nurse at Children's just giggled, informing me that I stay with my child for mild sedation before they are taken into the OR for deeper sedation.  Gotta love a place that deals with scared children on a daily basis! Plus, a nurse friend here didn't understand why I couldn't be with my child in the OR.  She stated parents can be sterilized for entry into the OR, no problem!!

Mommy's Monday Memory

Justin was only 2 weeks old in this picture.  As I look at him today, growing up with such a fantastic personality, and about to become a big brother, I suddenly miss the little squirt.  He's just a much bigger squirt getting into way more things than Olivia, who's becoming such a wonderful little lady.  I love my family!!

surgery is scheduled

Our little Princess SweetPea is getting her tonsils removed next Wednesday.  Nothing like waiting til the last month in town to take her into major surgery.  However, she's been having trouble breathing at night and we've actually heard her stop all together. It was time!

Since she was in the NICU the first 10 days of her life due to breathing problems, and a specialist did confirm she still had Striders  (don't know if I spelled that correctly) when she was just a few months old, we were concerned she had not outgrown Striders. 

After switching her to a toddler pillow, her nighttime breathing seemed to get better, but I just wanted an expert opinion.  Upon her examination, the ENT doctor confirmed she had Kissing Tonsils.  When she is just about to fall into deep sleep at night, her throat relaxes and her tonsils drop into the back of her throat and touch.  This competely blocks her airway causing her to wake up just enough to roll over.  I don't know how often this happens at night but the ENT doctor said they had to come out. Apparently, they are very very large.  I didn't even ask, and the doctor didn't even offer, to have to do a sleep study. That's fine with me!

So, next week, Nana's coming to help and SweetPea is going under the knife.  I remember my surgery in 2nd grade to get my tonsils removed and I remember eating a lot of ice cream and having a really sore throat for about a week.  I hope she can stay comfortable and I can keep enough liquids in her to keep everything moist and prevent any further discomfort.

Mommy's Monday Memory

 MY LOVES

They each sleep with their Daddy Dolls every night and Olivia even took her Daddy to the commissary.  She walked with me holding on so tight to her doll.  I was really busy trying to get us out of the cold cold commissary I missed everyone admiring her, but I'm sure they were saying she's super cute!  Still teaching Justin not to bite down on Daddy's head like he bites down on his Cookie Monster's hands.  At least these dolls are machine washable!

kids are cute

she likes to ride and he likes to push

he got a big kick out of wearing the headphones

no april fools...we're under contract

We are now under contract, yipee!! Buyers want to close May 3rd, so there is lots to do between now and then.  And like most military moves, I'm doing this on my own.  Already set up TMO to come and pack us out, and will be paying friends in beer and pizza to help me move all our stuff back to the house from the storage unit.

FYI to all my military friends, did you know that legally the moving company contracted by the government CANNOT enter a storage unit to repack its contents? That's correct, the military member is responsible for pulling all the contents out of the unit, and opening all the boxes.  The packers pack stuff back up to their satisfaction, then the military member moves it all back into the unit.  Repeat the process for the next howevermanydays until everything is finished.  Needless to say, it's easier in the long run to move everything back here.  Besides, I can at least put boxes in the house in the rooms they are supposed to be in, that way everything should be in the right spot for unpacking.

On a brighter note, the kids are really enjoying the nice weather and their time outside.  The temps are finally getting warm from morning til night.  And our electric bill dropped about $100 this month, again with the yipee!!

second showing's are nerve racking

So we've had some great interest in our house and we're actually getting a second showing today.  It's a man who flew in from out of town and has kids about the same age as ours.  Ryan and I figure he won't be leaving the area without putting an offer in on a house, we just want it to be ours!!  The cool thing was his realtor asked our realtor if we 1) are a short sale home (answer is a big fat NO), and 2) if we could close in 30 days. We CAN close in 30 days, YES YES YES!! I really hope he puts an offer in on the house.  I've already started thinking about what has to happen if an offer is accepted and asked my mom to come down and help.  Take care of two kids, while pregnant and having to watch packers treat our stuff nice, defineately deserves some help.

But I'm already getting ahead of myself because the man hasn't even come yet for his second showing.  I'm just wishing, hoping and praying he'll put an offer on the house.  The first couple that loved our home are locals and are taking their time. They didn't see our house for a second time and said it was over priced, WHICH IT IS NOT!! They just want everything for nothing, which we're not willing to do.  So my hopes lie with this new buyer to is actually coming for a second showing.  I'm more hopeful because his realtor called last night around dinner time telling me about coming by again today. That's good news, right?

So, I'd better wrap this up and finish wiping down the kitchen and vacuum.  SOOOO excited...don't get my hopes up, don't get my hopes up...crap, my hopes are up!!

 

our little fish

So far we have one little fish in our family.  Olivia is currently taking swimming lessons on base.  She gets the biggest smile on her face, loves to kick her legs and say, "swimming swimming swimming, i love swimming!" Since I have get to be with Olivia during lessons, Justin hangs out with his awesome babysitter, Maggie, the CO's eldest daughter.  She's great with Justin and he enjoys her company.  They hang out at the track at the gym during lessons, and are back in the car before Olivia and are finished getting dressed.  Although, today is cold and rainy so I think I'll just put the DVD player in the car and they can watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together.

The funny thing is, as much fun as the swim lessons are, Olivia takes after me and does not like to put her face or head in the water.  I remember vividly as a child just not liking to get my hair wet.  Don't know why either.  During Olivia's lesson last week, the teacher introduced her to holding her breath and putting her nose and mouth in the water.  she did great the first try but then breathed in while her nose was underwater and started to choke.  I think she started herself a bit and didn't want to try again.  It's nice having someone else tell her what to due during lessons, so I can just refer back to, "the teacher said to try this, we must listen to the teacher." It helps a lot! I ment to have Olivia practice in our huge master bathtub over the weekend but alas she did not.  Hopefully, today the pool is a bit warmer and she'll enjoy putting her head in the water while wearing her new swim goggles.

On a side note, I think my morning sickness has kicked into low gear.  I don't feel sick, per say, just really don't want to eat anything (but I do or I really feel sick) and just want to sit and do nothing.  But, with two other kids, that doesn't get to happen, so at least the house is always clean and I can enjoy their company.

Mommy's Monday Memory

To be able to sleep in any position again and wake up refreshed!

Mommy's Monday Memory

Justin certainly takes after me when it comes to petting animals.  HE HATES IT!! Ok, that's an overstatement.  He was very interested in the baby chicks (in the green box behind him in the bottom picture), just couldn't reach far enough into the big box.  He'd just look at the baby bunny and stare at it, wondering what it really was.  You can kinda see his questioning expression in the bottom picture.  I tried to move his hand up to touch the extremely soft bunny fur, but he pulled away so I didn't push him.  Olivia on the other had was all about holding that baby bunny when the birthday girl wasn't holding him.  The kids were invited to a little girls 3rd birthday that had a petting zoo...hence the memory!

I remember as a kid being terrified to touch baby animals at petting zoo's.  Specifically, while living in Berlin, we'd travel to a place called Peacock Island, which had tons of peacocks living on the island, duh!  There were other animals on the island one day, or so I remember, maybe I'm mixing up two separate memories?  Anyway, I did not want anything to do with the baby animals, can't even remember what aminals were present, just that I did not want to touch a single one.  Sure enough though, my dad forced my hand to touch the animal, while my parents are giggling at my sillyness of not wanting to touch the animals, as tears ran down my face.  Don't get me wrong, my parents are great, I just did not like to touch baby animals!!

We're on TV...ok, not really!

I set up a YouTube channel so Ryan can watch video's of the kids on his phone.  Olivia wanted to run through the sprinklers yesterday during the warm afternoon.  Justin walked through the water a few times but wasn't a fan.  It really cooled us down.  I also got sand to fill up their sandbox.  They've played outside in the morning after breakfast for the last two days.  Wish we had a screen door, but at least there aren't many bugs to fly into the house.

Mommy's Monday Memory: A few days late

 I have to get better and putting up my Mommy's Monday Memory on a Monday!

This week, I am reminded why I love my husband. 

He controls the TV remote at night so I can get some decent sleep. 
He cooks dinner after coming home from work because he knows I really don't want to.
He plays with the kids so I can surf facebook and my friends blogs undisturbed. 
He buys the kids little gifts because "it was so cute in the store" or "they really need this." 
He'll go to the commissary on payday weekend because I was too sick for two days and couldn't go. 
He makes me laugh. 
He'll eat a bowl of ice cream with me in bed while watching The Biggest Loser. 
He tries to have lunch with me and the kids at every opportunity.
He never asks for anything of material value for his birthday/Christmas when he knows people can't afford it. 
He's kind.
He says I love you every day!
He tells the kids I love you every day!
He is the best father!
He backs up my parenting decisions.
He tells me I'm beautiful.
He reminds me how good of a mother I am despite my doubts!

the perfect man!

Swinging

Wanted to test out uploading videos from our new YouTube channel aptly named OurAdventureAwaits.  TheCollinsFamily was already taken so I took our blog name instead.  The video was shot today at the park.  Didn't know Justin loved the swings so much!!

We're Expecting

Olivia and Justin will become a bigger sister and big brother in November 2011.  We are expecting bundle of joy #3 and are so very excited! In keeping all three kids (wow, first time I've said that, and it feels pretty normal) about 2 years apart, now is the perfect time.  On top of that, Ryan will be deep into EWS, our family routine will be set and adding one more to the hustle and bustle won't be a problem!  At Ryan's Change of Command yesterday, he announced we were expecting and everyone was so surprised and happy for us.  It was grand!

  So far, I haven't had any physical symptoms but I am sure that will change soon.  My dreams became very vivid and crazy, my first indication I was pregnant even before the test came out positive.  I'm trying to keep my eating under control since I always seem to crave sweets and give into those craving during my first trimester.  Although, making my own version of IHop pancakes complete with cherry topping and whipped cream for breakfast isn't helping, but it tasted so goooood!

 Upon telling Olivia she was going to be a big sister again, she responded by questioning whether or not she was going to get taller.  She really didn't understand what I was talking about, but now has slowly figured it out.  She's requested a baby sister!  I have the whole time on video and crack up each time I watch it. 

And here's the picture of two semi-sane people before the crazy life of moving, pregnancy, a hot summer, and 3 kids take over our lives.  Oh, wait, we've already started the process, haha.  We love our family!!

Mommy's Monday Memory

Every now and then, us girls need a day out.  I took Olivia out with me to get my hair cut before heading to the mall to get new clothes for her.  I thought these pictures would forever stay on my cell phone, because that's what happened with every other cell phone I've owned.  Not anymore.  I can share these memories with you.  Words cannot express my love for this little girl.  I kept asking her for a good smile and I kept getting goofy faces.  I'll take the goofy faces any day!!