Sesame, Thanksgiving, and stomach bugs

I should have known by yesterday afternoon what was coming. The Beebster is now sick with a horrible stomach virus of some sort.

We had a wonderful day at Sesame for their one day of "Holidays at Sesame." It was a steal, and we'd been asking Faith for over a month now if she would want to go to Sesame Place as part of her birthday gift. She would respond with some of her most enthusiastic "Esss!"'s. She was totally pumped, as was big sis. And, the day was beautiful. Right when we got into the Sesame parking lot though and got Faith out of her carseat, the first thing she did was instantly throw up all of the grapes that she had had that morning for breakfast. I caught her right in time making her gagging noise, and so it merely landed on the ground. I chalked it up to car sickness, and she was totally herself the entire rest of our day there at Sesame. 

We stopped at Red Robin on our way back home, but had to leave after only about 10 minutes and before eating. I had taken them both to the bathroom, and Faith was doing her dance spins right outside the door. I didn't notice that she had one of her hands holding the crack of the door, and didn't notice until it was too late. Those moments are like slow motion; I can totally see what is about to happen, and yet my efforts at preventing it are always futile. Needless to say she got her right hand really bad. All three of her knuckles are skinned, and she screamed and screamed in pain. My poor Beebster. I should have known by this point that everything was leading to her being sick.

We got home and she didn't want to eat anything. She wanted to look at the pictures and videos from Sesame, and other than that, just wanted to lay on the ground with blankie. She threw up the first time right after dinner, and then threw up again after brushing her teeth. She cried to get out of the bath tub (totally unlike her) at bathtime and was shivering uncontrollably. She passed out within 30 seconds last night. I put  her in our bed to sleep with me the whole night since I was worried she would have to throw up again and I wouldn't hear it. She slept well until about 6am and then whimpered every 5 minutes or so until she finally woke up at about 8:20am. She would whimper, and I would hug her and smooth her cheek and she would sleep again. I felt so bad for her. 

She's thrown up once this morning, and has had horrible diarrhea. She is completely not herself, and only wants to lay on her makeshift bed I made for her in the living room. She only wants juice, and barely ate her toast for breakfast and then threw up all of her juice about 2 hours later. The only thing she got up for was to help make cookies with Cran and I, and she made a drawing with her glitter glues. I hope she feels better soon. There's nothing worse than seeing either one of them sick and unlike themselves.

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Sesame was awesome though, and Thanksgiving too. Thanksgiving lunch at Garfield's was delicious, and the little women really enjoy seeing their little cousin Tyler. Faith is always interested in his toys and wants to pat him on the head. Maddie and Faith both made a friend in the youngest daughter of Dan's oldest cousin, Stacey. The three of them were doing their dance moves and Faith was chasing Maddie and Natalie and tickling them. Of course, Maddie and Natalie also talked about their favorite Disney princesses. 

Yesterday was great, and besides the parking lot premonition of what was to come, Faith was beside herself the whole day. Maddie too. They just love that place. Considering there's no telling when we'll be able to get these two Disney lovers to DisneyWorld, Sesame Place is like their Disney. They just love the rides and seeing all of the characters. Faith stood behind my legs waving and blowing kisses to all of the characters, but was still a little too shy to go up with Crannie to meet them! But, she held Ernie and Bert the entire time we were  in the gift shop and stood up on the bleachers and danced and clapped during the entire Abby Cadabby show. They both absolutely love carousels, and this one in particular. They had a really great time!

All good things come to an end

The mexicanos came. And, the mexicanos left.

The 3 days spent with the de Gortari clan went by in a blur, but were spent having fun and enjoying each other. Pati was in Washington, DC for a convention last week and so we had jumped on that opportunity to have a mini-reunion with Nene's brothers and sister for a few days while she was near Lancaster. Mauricio, Amalia, Guero, Barbara, and Pati got here Thursday afternoon and just left today. We had a wonderful 3-day weekend.

Crannie and Beebster had the privilege of first meeting Nene's side of the family last year for Thanksgiving when we went out to Indianapolis, or "Indanaskets" as Maddie still likes to refer to the city. Faith was only just turning 1-year old (and, in fact had her first birthday there in Indianapolis) and Maddie was 2. Maddie has so many fond memories of all of her relatives, including her Super Nene who was unable to come this time. She remembers every person in her life that has impacted her, and clearly they all had a huge impact on her even at 2 years old. She remembers the nights spent dancing and singing, and loves seeing pictures. Faith was a troubled little 11-month old at the time with roughly 7 teeth wanting to cut through during the time we spent there. She was right in the midst of her Momma stage, and was incredibly shy and wary around them all. She therefore earned the nickname, "La Chillona" while we were there. She has now become "La Chistosa" and absolutely loved seeing everybody this time.

My little women had a wonderful time with their Mexican family. We went on Thursday and Maddie took her jewelry box filled with bracelets and necklaces for everybody. She had told me that morning that 'Mauricio' was too hard of a name to pronounce, and that she was going to call him 'Cheese Mouse' and Cheese Mouse became her name for Mauricio. She loved him and Guero. She would go to Guero and ask for 5,000 songs on the guitar and even took her purse filled with coins on Friday to give him as a tip. She spent a good portion of Friday evening explaining to Guero about nature: "Polar bears eat sea lion babies. But, that's just how nature works. And, sperm whales will drag you down to the deep, deep part of the ocean. So, you need to be careful. But, that's just how nature works. It's just like that." It was hilarious. She and Guero had a Beanie Baby parade and chased Cheese Mouse around on Friday night too telling him she was Princess Aurora and he was Prince Phillip.

Faith was too cute the whole time. She was still a little shy at first, but yet completely different than when they saw her last year. Her favorite thing was to dance and dance and dance some more when Guero would play his guitar. She kept telling everybody about 'Booo' and 'Baaa' and showed them her Littlest Pets. We had birthday cake for her on Friday night, and she was in heaven with everybody singing 'Happy Birthday' to her. She clapped and laughed so hard. 

Last night, we went to El Serrano for dinner and it was awesome. The entire 3 days was the best just hanging out with everybody including Nene, Gampa, Uncle Schnoogo, Paul, and Tia Rosa and it was great just having that neat atmosphere with everybody at the table. We were quite the audience for Dante, and my little women have never danced so much in their lives. They were in the very front right underneath Dante and his guitar doing their step moves and ballet twirls. They danced with just about everybody, and even together. It was so neat. Of course, we also were serenaded at our table with "Cielito Lindo" which I think is their new favorite song. It didn't get much better than that.

My little party girls were wiped out by the end of each night, and last night was no different. Dan and I left the restaurant a little earlier than everybody else with the intention of getting them to bed. They weren't having that. They wanted to wait, and sure enough when they heard everybody coming into the garage singing at the top of their lungs and carrying on, they both went to the top of the stairs jumping and clapping. They asked for one song on Nene's CD player, and got to dance for their audience again. Faith had her pointer fingers in the air for '1 more song, please!' They of course passed out within about 30 seconds after I put them to sleep.

We spent the rest of the night laughing so hard at all the stories Mauricio, Guero, Pati, and Nene would tell about growing up so long ago. I have never in my life laughed until I have cried, and I had tears in my eyes from Mauricio's stories. It was awesome.

Now I am left trying to explain to two little women about why everybody had to leave, and the party had to end. Maddie's exact words were, "Momma, I loved Cheese Mouse. And, I love the man in the big family with so much hair (Guero). And, the girls are so beautiful. They have blondish hair (couldn't be further from the truth!)." I'm so very glad that the C. and the B. have these awesome memories of Nene's family. We're now looking forward to our next de Gortari reunion, and some more great memories. 

Crafting wizards

Winter seems to be looming in front of us, and I have decided to officially declare it as crafting season for my two little crafters. Considering there won't be much of anything else to do outside besides sledding and tubing and the occasional sidewalk chalk in 30 degree weather, I think crafting season will be quite appropriate.

Maddie and Faith are so immersed in their crafts lately. They get so excited when we go to Michael's. They made some more bead necklaces and bracelets this morning, and I commented to Maddie that they should ask Santa for a jewelry box to keep all their new creations in a safe place. We went to Michael's this afternoon with the intention of looking for removable stickers/decals for their bunkbed and a wall shelf that we could paint for Faith, but instead used our little coupon to get them a $2.99 wooden paint-it-yourself jewelry box. They LOVED this idea. 

They each picked little wooden decorations that you can easily attach with glue, and they each picked a color paint. Everything together was $5. Perfect. We came home after dinner, and they both wanted to paint the box awhile. It's now painted, and tomorrow I told them they could decorate it. There's even space on the top for a picture, and I think it will be so cute. Their first joint creation in their shared room. 

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Dinner was especially nice. We went to Chili's which is quite a treat these days. Maddie insisted that she and Beebster could sit on one side of the booth by themselves, and so I sat with Dan on the other side of the booth. It was awesome. Faith hasn't been using a high chair, and just loves the independence of sitting like her big sis, the "big kid." She and Maddie were hilarious checking out each other's tongue color from their slushies and drawing pictures of our family on their menus. Then they would carefully divide the sugar packets between the two of them and pretend to sell Dan and I some sugar. It was the coolest feeling sitting across from them and watching them together. It's crazy to think that Faith will be two soon, and that they're at the point now where they can do some things independently of either one of us. Of course, getting to sit next to Dan itself was fun too. All by ourselves. 

Their antics are so hilarious when they are combined. They make each other giggle uncontrollably constantly. Faith would stand up and wink and do her "cute" face to the unsuspecting patrons sitting in the booth next to us. Her cute face is hilarious these days. She flashes us this face whenever she knows she is in trouble, and her eyes are squinted so that she removes eye contact from the situation (I think she does this because she knows she doesn't want to see our disapproving faces!). Maddie, not to be outdone, tells us quite loudly at one point when of course everybody is within earshot that "I need to go POOP." Then she tells us, "I love this family. We're all in love." Haha.

The bond between my little women is amazing. Maddie chose "Berenstain Bears Trouble with Friends" today as her afternoon book of choice. She asked me why Lizzy and Sister were arguing, and I told her that that is what friends do sometimes. Even sisters. She looked at me and tells me, "No. Me and my Beebster are best friends. We don't fight. We're in love." I'm so glad that they have that intense sisterly bond. It's what quiets my fears when I start to worry about this 3rd baby affecting them. They have each other. They have us, and they also have each other. And, this baby will be so incredibly lucky to have two awesome big sisters!

Ernie and Bert

Cran and Beebster have earned themselves new aliases: Ernie and Bert. The names are quite fitting.

They're getting closer and closer to officially sharing a room and officially becoming bunkmates. Literally. Mr. Donovan let them have his old bunkbeds, and they just love their new bed. They play on the top, and sleep on the bottom together. Of course, I'm still transferring the Flop over to her crib in the night since I'm not quite ready to let go of her babyhood quite yet. She still needs her crib, or at least I like to tell myself that. 

The little girls had quite an eventful weekend. It was topped off with returning home last night from Lancaster and seeing their new bed fully assembled and in their room. They think it's great. Dan and I rearranged Maddie's room, and got them a comforter for the bottom. They read their stories down there now, and it works out pretty perfectly. Slowly but surely, we'll transition Faith's stuff over to her new room!

Aside from the new bed, they spent Saturday and Sunday in Lancaster with their beloved Nene and Gampa. We went to help rake yesterday, and Dan joined us yesterday morning. They are in heaven with their Nene and Gampa. Maddie and I woke up early Sunday morning, and she was anxious to help me make breakfast. She absolutely loves cooking and baking. We were out by 8:30am yesterday morning, and spent almost the whole day raking. Faith fell twice in the exact same puddle (totally Beebster!), but other than that, she had a blast fooling around outside. She helped to stand on the tarp and hold it down from the horribly gusty winds. Maddie surprised me and was an enormous help. She got the little rake Nene had, and was as happy as could be helping to rake. She would make little piles, but piles all the same. I couldn't believe how helpful she was, and how much she thoroughly enjoyed it. She even insisted on helping us all carry the tarp and the sheets of leaves out to the front. 

For her troubles, Gampa gave her $20 which she thought was the best thing ever. We went to WalMart today and she picked a Princess Aurora doll (ironically, her first princess doll ever) and a bead kit "to share with my Beebster." She and Faith LOVE beads, and they spent the afternoon making necklaces and bracelets with their beads. 

Ernie (or, Ernesto as I like to say) and Bert are now counting down the days til the Beebster's 2nd birthday and her celebratory day the next weekend at Sesame Place. Hopefully the weather cooperates so that we can go and our Ernie and Bert can hug and kiss the real Ernie and Bert!

Little helpers

14-week appointment today for baby tres. We'd been looking forward to this one!

These little women of mine have totally exceeded all expectations I had of them being involved and interested in this pregnancy and in having another sibling. They are awesome. Maddie is constantly asking me questions, and always wants to know when we get to go check on the baby whenever we pass by the doctor's office. Her true personality shines through in situations like these, because she is such a sweet girl and always so worried. When Dan tries to crack my back for me with his foot, she whispers to me "Momma, are you sure the baby didn't lose his head?" 

My Maddie held my hand when they checked my blood pressure, since I guess she thought they were hurting me. She stood right there next to me and was so curious about the heartbeat- which we finally heard (156 bpm). She asked the doctor, "ummm.. excuse me? Do you know if this is a boy or a girl? I think it's a girl." She was disappointed to know it will be another 5 weeks or so until we know. 

Faith is so very interested in babies and in THIS baby. It's the coolest thing. It definitely helps that Faith is a little older than Maddie was when she became a big sister, but Faith also has that natural curiosity and true love of babies as well. The doctor today asked Faith if she knew where our baby was, and Faith nodded her head, said "esss" and pointed to my stomach while lifting my shirt and saying "dis!" She didn't leave my side either and stood next to big sis while the doctor and nurse did all the routine stuff. She's so little that all I could see were her little beady eyes looking at me with this huge smile when they were doing the heartbeat and I was laying on the table. My precious little woman!

They, of course, also had to show off their comedian personalities while there. Since it was such a dreary day today, I told my little ladies we could put up the Christmas tree awhile (yes, very early... VERY early) and they loved it. We ran out of hooks for some of the ornaments, and Maddie was desperate to get some more hooks. Dan told her we would stop at the store after the appointment, and of course she was looking forward to that. I should mention though that she calls the hooks, "hookers" instead. So, while the door to the doctor's room was wide open and the nurse and doctor were standing right outside filling in my next appointment card, Maddie says as loud as she can "Ok, Daddy.. now can we go see the hookers?" Dan was red in the face with embarrassment, and I'd love to know what the staff think of us!

Not to be outdone, miss Beebster took along her 'Jungle Book' figures. In between eating some grapes, she would have Shere Khan attack and bite the little village girl or Mowgli and then they would fight him. 

My sweet little helpers;)