May 27, 2011
2 1/2
Gilana is a riot. She has been going through so many transformations during the last several months. She is now potty-trained (with only the occasional accident) and made the transition to being diaper-free on her own volition when Byron walked in on her one morning to find our precocious munchkin flushing the toilet after doing all of her business. I had hoped to wait several weeks until summer was in full swing and the rains were over, but was certainly grateful to have the process over before the new baby arrives.
About a month after this, Gilana began a bedtime battle with us, refusing vehemently to sleep, at times inconsolably screaming hysterically for over an hour. She did not want to miss out on the happenings during her naptime, and the night ritual of a calm babe ready to snuggle into bed went haywire. This continued until last week when we journeyed up north for Aunt Lizzie's wedding. The total sleep exhaustion and necessity to often sleep in her car seat resulted in both of our girls very grateful (and apparently relieved) to have their own beds back at home. This trip also caused Gilana to suddenly revert back to being a Mamma's girl since Byron and I often had to rock the girls to sleep during our travels and stays in unfamiliar places.
Gilana is now more compliant with her sleep-times, though she is beginning to show signs of her previous tantrums. She started a night routine which I LOVE. After I tuck her into the bed (which now must have covers fully tucked in on the sides "like a big girl" bed), she asks for a story about animals, prayers for friends and dreams of "wonderful things," a sing-through together of "Amazing Grace," and a kiss or several on her "cheeeeeeeek please Mommy!" This is followed by "Good night my Mother. Good night my Father." We were at a loss where this came from till Byron remembered Gigi sitting with me for the beginning of Miss Potter whereupon the children wish their parents a good evening before retiring. Our little girl is sharp!
Gigi enjoys reciting her ABC's. This is especially the case when Moosie's dollar is rewarded to buy her a bag of M&M's at 12:30 in the morning (this happened on our trip home from Sacramento, calmed a very anxious Gigi and delighted a sleepy Cameersies.) Gilana can count objects through ten, sing a variety of songs, dance like a gypsy babe, and enjoys reading to the babies (Camelia and Lilyan.) She is a great big sister.
She is changing, growing, and delighting us with her whimsy and zest for life. The trials she provides turn us to seek help and Biblical guidance as we strive to raise her in a way that honors Christ. Byron is an AMAZING father who plays with his children, seeks their best, and makes the hard decisions to tell them "No," even when the cuteness is overwhelming. I love being a Momma to my little girls.
About a month after this, Gilana began a bedtime battle with us, refusing vehemently to sleep, at times inconsolably screaming hysterically for over an hour. She did not want to miss out on the happenings during her naptime, and the night ritual of a calm babe ready to snuggle into bed went haywire. This continued until last week when we journeyed up north for Aunt Lizzie's wedding. The total sleep exhaustion and necessity to often sleep in her car seat resulted in both of our girls very grateful (and apparently relieved) to have their own beds back at home. This trip also caused Gilana to suddenly revert back to being a Mamma's girl since Byron and I often had to rock the girls to sleep during our travels and stays in unfamiliar places.
Gilana is now more compliant with her sleep-times, though she is beginning to show signs of her previous tantrums. She started a night routine which I LOVE. After I tuck her into the bed (which now must have covers fully tucked in on the sides "like a big girl" bed), she asks for a story about animals, prayers for friends and dreams of "wonderful things," a sing-through together of "Amazing Grace," and a kiss or several on her "cheeeeeeeek please Mommy!" This is followed by "Good night my Mother. Good night my Father." We were at a loss where this came from till Byron remembered Gigi sitting with me for the beginning of Miss Potter whereupon the children wish their parents a good evening before retiring. Our little girl is sharp!
Gigi enjoys reciting her ABC's. This is especially the case when Moosie's dollar is rewarded to buy her a bag of M&M's at 12:30 in the morning (this happened on our trip home from Sacramento, calmed a very anxious Gigi and delighted a sleepy Cameersies.) Gilana can count objects through ten, sing a variety of songs, dance like a gypsy babe, and enjoys reading to the babies (Camelia and Lilyan.) She is a great big sister.
She is changing, growing, and delighting us with her whimsy and zest for life. The trials she provides turn us to seek help and Biblical guidance as we strive to raise her in a way that honors Christ. Byron is an AMAZING father who plays with his children, seeks their best, and makes the hard decisions to tell them "No," even when the cuteness is overwhelming. I love being a Momma to my little girls.
April 12, 2011
A Bit of News
It seems to be
We have some news
Which cannot be ignored
Something special
In the air
A blessing fair
Be told
Gilana and Camelia
These sweet dear little darlings
Are precious more than words can tell
But something else comes neigh
September brings the third DeChellis
A babe yet to be named
But thanks to our God by way of our doctor
We know if pink or blue are required.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And PINK it shall be!
Surprise!!!
March 27, 2011
New Words
Camelia is bursting forth with new ways of expressing herself. She has been adding to her vocabulary at a rapid pace the last several days.
New words include:
She is just too cute!
New words include:
- No
- Night night
- stinky
- Ish Ish (our dog, Sushi)
She is just too cute!
March 17, 2011
Cousins
Tammy and William visited us in early February. Though the kids all got sick, they had fun together!
March 14, 2011
When the Rat's Away the Mouse Will Play
Sushi repeatedly ran into the kitchen tonight to peer under the stove. Granted, she is a spaz, but even this is unusual behavior for her. I decided to take a look under with a flashlight and found a cute little mousy face peering inquisitively back at me before darting into the dark recesses under the oven.
"Byron! There's a mouse!"
"What? No way!"
And so I stood in the kitchen pondering what to do with my rearranged pantry and cupboards. I had just finished sterilizing some drawers which our former inhabitant had enjoyed frequenting.
After setting a mouse trap under the oven, we went ahead with our evening as planned. Shortly after, Sushi raced back into the kitchen and was excitedly sniffing while a little creature could be heard quite happily scampering about. Byron went to action pulling out the oven and sent me off to procure the trusty bucket. I peered into the back of the oven and there the little dude was, staring out at me and standing guard over his hoard of stolen treasure under the burners. We sealed up the back exits and Byron went to work removing the top.
With top removed, we discovered no mouse. Byron had thought ahead and placed Sushi as the rear guard. After somebanging prodding on the side of the oven I noticed a streak of gray and Sushi and Byron went outside with their catch. Byron was so proud. I was, admittedly, rather disgusted, but am grateful for the absence, once again, of rodents in our home.
Now I hope any other small creature interested in moving in takes full note of the "NO VACANCY" sign in our kitchen. Not a bad idea, I should go make one.
THE END (again)
"Byron! There's a mouse!"
"What? No way!"
And so I stood in the kitchen pondering what to do with my rearranged pantry and cupboards. I had just finished sterilizing some drawers which our former inhabitant had enjoyed frequenting.
After setting a mouse trap under the oven, we went ahead with our evening as planned. Shortly after, Sushi raced back into the kitchen and was excitedly sniffing while a little creature could be heard quite happily scampering about. Byron went to action pulling out the oven and sent me off to procure the trusty bucket. I peered into the back of the oven and there the little dude was, staring out at me and standing guard over his hoard of stolen treasure under the burners. We sealed up the back exits and Byron went to work removing the top.
With top removed, we discovered no mouse. Byron had thought ahead and placed Sushi as the rear guard. After some
Now I hope any other small creature interested in moving in takes full note of the "NO VACANCY" sign in our kitchen. Not a bad idea, I should go make one.
THE END (again)
March 12, 2011
Defeated ROUS
It is currently 2:30 am and I just bid my husband adieu as he whisked out the door in dress shoes and shorts with a gardeners glove on one hand and a pie-pan covered home depot bucket in the other. Out of supreme kindness to me he is driving about a mile away to say farewell to a little friend.
Why this ensemble? We have had a rough time sleeping tonight as the girls have been taking turns with late night wakefulness. After my "shift," as it were, I came down for a delightful apple snack. After cutting my apple I heard a noise behind me and noticed the cupboard door slightly open. Note, we take great measures every evening to ensure our little house guest has no access to our edibles. He is required to procure his own or move out! Hence the "fruit helmet" colander over our bananas every night. I went over for a closer look and a tail swished out of the cupboard. Slamming it shut in alarm (this was our closest encounter to date) I looked around for a means to better entrap him. The broom! Propping that up on the counter was insufficient, so I pulled out the most accessible and heavy appliances in reach, the toaster oven and juicer, stacked them, and ran to assemble some rat catching devises. Armed and ready with a large bucket, broom, and the shutters I have been painting for the playhouse windows, I ran upstairs to awake Byron. The battleground was primed and ready.
Byron jumped to action when he heard our illusive guest was ready to move out. After gingerly peering into the cupboard, his plan was to reach in and grab the ROUS. This scarred me, so he assented to wearing a glove. He made several attempts to pull out our little friend, when suddenly the rat literally seemed to fly over our heads and into the sink. Byron followed just as quickly and suddenly the creature was trapped. We tried to contain it in the bucket by sliding a cutting board under, but the silly thing ran into the garbage disposal.
This is the part where I got scarred and had to leave the room. If you were a man with a rat trapped in the garbage disposal, what, pray tell, would you do? Blessedly, Byron didn't do it, but rather turned on the water and sought to trap the little bugger once more in the bucket. Of course it climbed out when the water came on and Byron had it! Success!! Hence, the lovely ensemble as me sweetheart stole from the house, ROUS in tow, for the finale of this co-habitation portion of our life.
As Byron returned home, he chuckled that the rat didn't want to give up his home easily. My dear husband hand driven away to a undeveloped area and climbed a hill to release the house guest. After sliding it out of the bucket the creature turned around and jumped for Byron in a final effort to return to it's posh reside under the kitchen cupboards. Apparently Byronkicked blocked it with his foot and ran back to the car, eager to return to bed and end this saga.
Now, I wonder how many of my dish towels and baby bibs have ended up in that inaccessible location under the cupboard. I guess I'll never know.
The END!!
Why this ensemble? We have had a rough time sleeping tonight as the girls have been taking turns with late night wakefulness. After my "shift," as it were, I came down for a delightful apple snack. After cutting my apple I heard a noise behind me and noticed the cupboard door slightly open. Note, we take great measures every evening to ensure our little house guest has no access to our edibles. He is required to procure his own or move out! Hence the "fruit helmet" colander over our bananas every night. I went over for a closer look and a tail swished out of the cupboard. Slamming it shut in alarm (this was our closest encounter to date) I looked around for a means to better entrap him. The broom! Propping that up on the counter was insufficient, so I pulled out the most accessible and heavy appliances in reach, the toaster oven and juicer, stacked them, and ran to assemble some rat catching devises. Armed and ready with a large bucket, broom, and the shutters I have been painting for the playhouse windows, I ran upstairs to awake Byron. The battleground was primed and ready.
Byron jumped to action when he heard our illusive guest was ready to move out. After gingerly peering into the cupboard, his plan was to reach in and grab the ROUS. This scarred me, so he assented to wearing a glove. He made several attempts to pull out our little friend, when suddenly the rat literally seemed to fly over our heads and into the sink. Byron followed just as quickly and suddenly the creature was trapped. We tried to contain it in the bucket by sliding a cutting board under, but the silly thing ran into the garbage disposal.
This is the part where I got scarred and had to leave the room. If you were a man with a rat trapped in the garbage disposal, what, pray tell, would you do? Blessedly, Byron didn't do it, but rather turned on the water and sought to trap the little bugger once more in the bucket. Of course it climbed out when the water came on and Byron had it! Success!! Hence, the lovely ensemble as me sweetheart stole from the house, ROUS in tow, for the finale of this co-habitation portion of our life.
As Byron returned home, he chuckled that the rat didn't want to give up his home easily. My dear husband hand driven away to a undeveloped area and climbed a hill to release the house guest. After sliding it out of the bucket the creature turned around and jumped for Byron in a final effort to return to it's posh reside under the kitchen cupboards. Apparently Byron
Now, I wonder how many of my dish towels and baby bibs have ended up in that inaccessible location under the cupboard. I guess I'll never know.
The END!!
March 11, 2011
Festivities Continue
The birthday celebration continued the following day as Camelia started her first year with a stiff cup of coffee-- to go.
Then it was time for some good cupcake shots of the gorgeous butterfly cupcakes that Auntie Danielle made for Mellie's party.
Then it was time for some good cupcake shots of the gorgeous butterfly cupcakes that Auntie Danielle made for Mellie's party.
Did I Mention Camelia is a Year Old?!
Well, she did have a party to celebrate, but apparently I never posted it! Woops. Our lovely is certainly growing up. The last two weeks have brought us a little book-worm who has three favorites which she loves to have read to her on repeat. She likes to act them out and can be spotted performing her fish face, dog panting, and kitty whiskers to whomever is available. The book that started this scholarly fascination is one on baby sign language. It's a hit! Gilana encourages her on, and the two of them make for quite an adorable sight.
Camelia's party was a sweet little family affair with some of her favorites in attendance.
Camelia's party was a sweet little family affair with some of her favorites in attendance.
The girls got to enjoy some sweet time with their cousin Aiden.
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