Kisses for Nana Janet and Papa Bill

Nana Janet and Papa Bill came into our lives back in 2003 when hubby and I took our second cruise on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. They were actually on our team for a scavenger hunt game, and we all won the gold medal! We have kept in touch with them, and we've been friends with them ever since. They are actually from Boston, so it is completely awesome that we've all stayed in touch. I will definitely give hubby and Nana Janet the credit for that one as they've been great about e-mailing back and forth since 2003.

Nana Janet and Papa Bill actually both have children our age, but we have always LOVED hanging out with them as if they themselves are our age. They are both hilarious! And, they are both very caring and loving people. I think their hearts are made of gold! It is completely awesome to have people like them come into your lives to stay. We love you Nana Janet and Papa Bill!

Right now, neither of them have grand kids of their own. So, they have taken Annabelle on as their very own grandchild. They visited us back in September, and Annabelle immediately took to them both! Personally, I think children are a lot like dogs, they can really sense the good from the bad. Now we know for sure that Nana Janet and Papa Bill are keepers!

Well, as most grandparents these days do, they spoil Annabelle absolutely rotten! And, she loves it! This afternoon while Annabelle was in her room for naptime (more like playtime), a man knocked on the door. Hubby answered the door, and I peaked around the corner to see what exactly he was signing off on. And what did I see? Beautiful red flowers, three red balloons and a red teddy bear attached to the vase. I knew that it couldn't have been for me because I threaten hubby to not buy me flowers on Valentine's Day because I'm just that cheap!

Before we even looked at the card, I guessed that it must be from Nana Janet and Papa Bill. Sure enough, I was right!

Hubby placed the flowers, balloons and teddy bear back on the front porch as I was getting Annabelle up from her nap. Then, I snuck outside and took some pictures of the vase, flowers, balloons and teddy bear by the front door. When I was finished, hubby opened the door for Annabelle to see her surprise.

She was so excited! We told her that everything was from Nana Janet and Papa Bill. She said, "Nana Jana and Papa Bull?" We then had her sit down and pose by her Valentine's Day present. We asked her to blow a kiss to Nana Janet and Papa Bill, and I managed to catch the following shot! Precious!

Thank you Nana Janet and Papa Bill! You spoil all of us way too much! We hope you enjoy this kiss that Annabelle is blowing your way, from Atlanta to Boston!

We love and miss "y'all!"

Sarah Annabelle

Grandmama, Granddaddy, Annabelle and I visited Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia today. Annabelle visited for the first time back in December 2007, but this was the first time that a Cabbage Patch Kid was named after her.

Nurse Becky delivered Sarah Annabelle at 3:25 p.m. She weighed 1 lb, 3 oz, and she was 16 inches long. Nurse Becky chose Annabelle to pick Sarah's middle name. Annabelle (really, Mommy) chose Annabelle for Sarah's middle name, so Sarah became Sarah Annabelle.

Annabelle's Great Grandmama Gordon (aka Mama Gordon) also had a Cabbage Patch Kid named after her. I don't remember what year that was, but I'm thinking it was probably 1992 because I think the Cabbage Patch Kid was named Drucilla Samantha (after Mama Gordon) around Mama Gordon's 90th birthday. And, yes, my Mama Gordon's name was Drucilla Samantha. I don't know why my parents didn't buy the Cabbage Patch Kid named after my Mama Gordon, but I am sure that some little girl loved her Cabbage Patch Kid very much, despite the awful first name. Sorry Mama Gordon! I love you, but you must have cursed your parents many times for naming you Drucilla. I've always thought it sounded a lot like Cruella De Vil. And, my Mama Gordon was to the complete opposite extreme of Cruella.

After looking through the pictures that my parents had taken of Sarah Annabelle's birth, I could see just how intently Annabelle was watching the birth of her first named child. She really enjoyed it! This was the second birth of a Cabbage Patch Kid she has seen.

After Sarah Annabelle was born, Annabelle requested to "go see baby doll." So, we walked over to Nurse Becky who was completing the "It's a Girl!" card. She offered to let Annabelle hold the baby doll, and Annabelle accepted with glee. She hugged her and held her very close. I can already tell that she's going to make a wonderful Mommy one day by the love she shows baby dolls and real live babies.

By the way, Nurse Becky even spelled "Annabelle" correctly without us even telling her. She had just finished writing "Annabelle" when we walked over for Annabelle to see the baby doll.

We also watched Sarah Annabelle from the nursery window and took many pictures of her by her "It's a Girl!" card, just as proud parents and grandparents always do! Unfortunately, someone else will have to adopt Sarah Annabelle because the proud Grandmama (that would be me) is too cheap!

Annabelle's Daddy even asked me if I adopted her when I called him to tell him that Annabelle had a Cabbage Patch Kid named after her. I said, "No!" He said, "Why not? What kind of mother are you?" Apparently, a very cheap one. I told him that those baby dolls typically cost in the $100 range. He then said, "Oh."

Probably my Daddy

As we were finishing up reading the last book before naptime today, Annabelle turned the book over and discovered that it had a tiny gash in it. Following is our conversation:

Annabelle: "Aaah. Farmer Brown's hat broken."

The gash was on Farmer Brown's hat.

Mommy: "Oh, yes sweetheart, it does look broken, doesn't it?"

Annabelle: "Somebody broke it."

And before I could respond.

Annabelle: "Probably my Daddy."

Hee hee hee! Too funny! Perhaps Annabelle feels that her Daddy is notorious for breaking things. She isn't going to let him forget that he broke the handle to our newest recliner before we had even had it a week. Lucky for him, it was a hand me down, so we didn't pay a penny for it! Otherwise, I probably would never let him forget it either. On second thought, I'll still never let him forget it.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Adie!

Well, technically, I guess you are no longer a baby any more, but Annabelle will probably always refer to you as "Baby Adie."

As soon as Annabelle realized that it was time to open presents, she immediately walked over and picked up your present from all of us. It was very touching to me! She knew that we had bought and wrapped that present for you, and it seemed as if she just wanted to make sure that you didn't forget to open that one. We bought you a Fisher Price Musical Tea Set that Annabelle loves! She actually does not have one at home, but Grandmama bought her one when she was around 12 months old, and she's loved it ever since. It says, "for ages 2 and up," but I think you can figure out how to play with it before you turn 2!

Here is a picture I happened to snap as Annabelle walked over to you and your Mommy with your present from us. I love it!

You left your Mommy to open most of your presents at your birthday party. Annabelle also decided that she was going to help you. She started opening your presents for you whenever I would look away for just a second. She didn't realize I had looked away, so she wasn't being defiant. She just wanted to help you. Annabelle's Daddy would look at me and nod in Annabelle's direction to let me know that she was in the process of disassembling the presents. Your Mommy was so patient with Annabelle though, and she didn't seem to mind at all. Your Mommy has always been very patient with children!

And then, it was time for the cake! I have never seen a one year old dig into a cake like you did with your 1st birthday cake. You were not even coaxed by a single person either. You dug in to that cake immediately. This next picture is my very favorite. Your eyes look so beautiful and blue in this picture. You look so much like your Mommy!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Adie! We love you, and we are looking forward to watching you grow!

Postcard from Nonnie!

Nonnie just got back from a 10 day cruise last week. Before she left, she asked Annabelle if she wanted her to send her a postcard. Annabelle's response: "Uh huh." Translation (since I'm probably not spelling her response correctly): Yes.

So, Nonnie's postcard came in the mail today, and I just happened to have the camera in hand when she received it. She was so excited to receive her postcard from Nonnie. And, I thought all of the postcard photo shoot pictures were so cute, so I decided to post them all on this blog entry.

Notice the wild pants that don't at all match her very cute sweater. She tee teed all over her very cute jeans from Nana Janet and Papa Bill earlier in the day during her nap. And, we were going riding in her little car that was covered in saw dust, so at that point, clothes that could get dirty were a must! I would have also preferred to change her very cute sweater to prevent from getting it dirty, but she insisted that I leave it on. She threatened me with a toddler meltdown!

And, what is that she is holding? Yes, it is pine straw. My daughter loves to play in the yard and get her nice clean shoes and good clothes dirty. She has always been a huge collector of rocks and anything pertaining to nature!

Is she not the cutest thing ever?

Spare Teddy Bear to the Rescue!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Grandmama for the spare teddy bear you bought for $2 the other day. Although hubby and I were cursing you this evening, the spare teddy bear "frum Grandmama and Granddaddy" did finally work his magic!

It has been a rough few days for both Annabelle and me! Annabelle had her first dose of a stomach virus Thursday night (Friday morning at 3:30 a.m.)! Diarrhea preceded it with the worst poopy explosion ever during naptime on Wednesday! And, I'm not even kidding. Even as an infant with very explosive bowel movements, she has never had one this bad!

I got my own dose of this lovely bug for almost 24 hours straight beginning Thursday night around 11:00 p.m. My head was in a bucket pretty much every 30 minutes from 11:30 p.m. on Thursday night until noon on Friday. And, my head was in a bucket because I couldn't make it to the toilet! Sorry for the lovely picture, but I know you've all been there too!

The best part...hubby was out of town again! The out of town part I am really learning to deal with, but honestly, he has been out of town I believe every time that Annabelle has been really, really sick. Of course, that is no fault of his own, but it sure makes life really interesting, especially when you aren't feeling too great yourself. Thank goodness I had decided to spend the evening with my parents that night! And, honestly, I had almost decided to go back home after we had visited for the day. My parents definitely were my lifesavers during this illness! My mom held and cared for Annabelle while she puked most of the morning. If she hadn't, neither of us would have gotten any rest!

So, Annabelle woke up this morning quite lethargic. My concerns are still wondering between bladder infection or dehydration, but while I was on the phone with the nurse, Annabelle perked up and started singing her version of the ABC song. The nurse said, "Is that her I hear in the background." Hubby recommended that next time I just tell her that I am going to call the doctor and instead call some 1-800 number where I don't actually have to speak to a person. Do they just sense that you are calling the doctor?

She seemed better later this morning, but by 1:30 p.m., she was ready for a nap as she layed her head down on the table while she was trying to finish up her macaroni and cheese, which she had requested, and then ate. This is honestly the most she has eaten since Thursday afternoon. And, she didn't even eat one Kraft Easy Mac Single Serve Packet before her head was on the table and her eyes started closing.

So, off to bed she goes, but not without reading her two books (and a diaper change)! The diaper change was not needed because she has barely wet even one diaper all day long. Yet another sign of dehydration, right? But, she has been drinking somewhat today, and I've been watching her closely for signs of dehydration.

By the way, her temperature has been around 97.1 degrees F all day long, even after the episode you are about to read.

While Annabelle napped, I ran to the office to work for a few hours. I called hubby around 4:30 p.m. as I pulled away from the office only to learn that she was still asleep! She went down for her nap at 1:45 p.m. He said he had been going in to check on her though. I was feeling a bit concerned since she had been sleeping for so long.

So, I get home, wash my hands to get off those nasty germs from office doors and shared keyboards, and I'm about to walk in Annabelle's room to feel her head for a temperature. Instead, Shadow, our black cat, wakes Annabelle up with her entry into Annabelle's room. I guess she was concerned about Annabelle too.

The next thing I hear was hubby, "Mommy!" Actually, hubby called me by name. Then I hear my sweet little girl leaving her lunch behind all over the crib. Lovely!

She's crying and reaching for me with puke covered hands. Hubby said, "What do you want me to do?" I said, "Grab something for her to throw up in." What did he bring her? I probably shouldn't tell you because you'll never eat lunch or dinner or anything at my house again! But, I'm going to because I thought it was rather funny. He brought me a tupperware container. You know, the ones that everyone uses to store leftover food.

I took her to the bathroom and removed her clothes and washed her off with a warm wash cloth. I then held her as she cried. I asked Annabelle if she would allow hubby to hold her while I cleaned up her bed. "Noooo!" she cried. So, again, hubby said, "What can I do to help?" I finally asked him to remove the sheets and throw them into the washing machine immediately. He did as asked without any complaints, and I didn't hear any puking from him. Although, he did complain of an upset stomach later on in the evening, which he was way over by 9:00 p.m. I think that the simple thought of cleaning up puke made him sick to his stomach. I will still give him kudos for helping me though! It isn't fun cleaning up puke!

This time though, Teddy Bear did not make it unscathed. And, I didn't want to wash him with the really nasty sheets, so we washed him with a wash cloth temporarily. Fortunately, he wasn't covered, and she needed him for comfort very shortly after she had thrown up.

However, after I felt that Annabelle was finished throwing up for the evening, I decided to give her a bath and wash Teddy Bear along with some of her pajamas and clothes. She was not happy during bathtime, and shortly after bathtime, she decided that she needed paci and Teddy Bear right then! Uh oh!!!

I asked hubby to bring the spare Teddy Bear that Grandmama bought and just blogged about recently. When she saw the spare Teddy Bear from Grandmama and Granddaddy, she just cried, and said, "Noooo! My Teddy Bear!" as she kicked him away. I tried to explain to her that Teddy Bear was taking a bath, and I even showed her that he was bathing in a pillow case in the washing machine. She watched the pillow case spin, and she understood because she's seen me wash Teddy Bear in a pillow case before, but she still wasn't happy.

Finally, she settled down for the evening. We read books to her. She was so tired that she wanted to lay down in my lap as hubby read her a book and he stood up so she could see the book, and then I also read a book and held it for her to see, all while she layed down in my arms.

As I was singing her bedtime songs to her, she said, "Teddy Bear dat Grandmama Grandaddy gave me." I grabbed the $2 Teddy Bear from Grandmama, which I had just earlier hidden after she had settled down from her tantrum and seemed to "forget" about her own Teddy Bear.

She put her arms around his neck, and she held him until we finished singing her bedtime songs. Then, I laid her down in the crib, and she rubbed his fur between her little fingers. At last, she was comforted by another bear!

Grandmama, hubby and I were cursing you earlier in the evening, and it wasn't because you purchased a $2 spare bear. It was because you didn't purchase a twin for Teddy Bear when you bought him for her 1st birthday!

But, this time, the spare Teddy Bear saved the day! Thank God for miracles!

Super Bowl Sunday

Annabelle doesn't get to watch too much television unless her Mommy is just having one of those very bad, Daddy (hubby) is out of town, Mommy is about to pull her hair out kind of days. For the record though, her favorite cartoon is Curious George.

Well, this evening, hubby asked Annabelle if she wanted to watch some football with him. As much as Annabelle loves her favorite cartoon, she loves her some football even more.

Hubby was watching the Super Bowl for the commercials. Annabelle, on the other hand, was watching football for the football!

Do you think she's going to be a Daddy's girl? Let's just hope she doesn't want to play football!

Did you notice the small football in her hand? Her Daddy got that from his employer, and he brought it home for Annabelle. It has his company's name and logo on it. She loves that football!