Birthday Pictures

Lizzie simply would not cooperate and therefore would not smile! We got a couple a little smiles, but not the usual Lizzie! Anyway, enjoy the photos.

Lizzie's Third Birthday Pictures

Lizzie's Birthday

Lizzie's Birthday Party

I know, I am bad! It has been two months since my last post. Much has happened. But first here are some pictures from Lizzie's birthday and then her Cinderella Birthday Party two days later.

Happy 3rd Birthday Lizzie!!

Well, today is Lizzie's 3rd Birthday! She is a big girl now. She sleeps in her big girl bed and uses the potty all the time now. Here are some pictures from today, Lizzie just before we woke her up this morning and once we got to school...more on Saturday when we have her Cinderella Party!

Cathy

Play Kitchen, French Fries and Thomas the Doggie!

Now here is a story. On Monday, we were so excited that she had a good day potty training we told her we could go to Wendy's for dinner. We got take out and she had a cheeseburger, french fries (which we never let her have) and chocolate milk. So we go home and she starts to eat. She ate a portion of her burger and then some fries and went into the living room to watch what she calls "her shows" (honestly, she is like a little old lady watching soap operas). Her shows are Sagwa The Chinese Cat, Kipper, Dragon Tales, Thomas the Tank Engine and Noddy (all can be found on PBS Sprout's Goodnight Show). Anyway, she wanted to take her fries into the livingroom. We, being the absolutely suckers that we are, said okay. We didn't give it another thought.

Last night we were cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and she started playing with her Dora the Explorer Kitchen and got real quiet. Guy went into the dining room to see what she was doing and started to crack up. She was feeding Thomas the Doggie. She had him in her play highchair, buckled in with the tray and there were french fries on the tray. We asked her, where did you get the french fries. She said "from my kitchen". She must have put them in her kitchen on Monday for use at a later date! I told her, that they were yucky and that she can't do that anymore and not to put food in her kitchen. By the way, the fries were like rock pellets! We then searched her kitchen for anymore contraban. Luckly, there was nothing in there.

Here are some picture from my cell phone of the parties involved.

So, We Bought A King-Sized Bed, Why?????

Ok. Lizzie has been in a big girl bed now for about 2 weeks. She loves it. Twin-sized bed, Cinderella sheets and pillow. She has never come out of her room at night that is until now. The last couple of nights she started coming out of her room for one thing or another. Finally I told her, big girls stay in their room and in their beds at night and go to sleep. Don't get out of your bed or come out of your room. Well, she doesn't exactly come out of her room, she opens the door, lines up all of her peeps (we call Kitty Kat, Baby Cathy, and Thomas the Doggie her peeps) just inside the door, so she is technically in her room. She then begins to call Mommy, Mommy, ever so softly at first and then it gets gradually louder. Anyway, each time, we take her back to her room and put her back to bed. Last night, this went on for 2 hours finally at 9:30 she went to sleep. We thought, good. Until 2:30 a.m. this morning. She actually came into our room on Guy's side of the bed, all of her peeps in her arms, and she started crying. We broke our first and foremost cardinal rule, never in our bed. We were exhausted and put her into bed with us.

Now, I am smart. I learned from taking naps with her to "mark my territory" because she will take over the entire bed if you let her. I spread out on my side of the bed. Unfortunately, poor Guy has not yet learned this. He was literally hanging off the side of the bed. When I got up this morning it was pitch dark, I just had to take a picture. Enjoy.

Major Events At Our House!

We have had a major breakthrough out our house this weekend!! Our little monkey has decided she is finally a big girl and is going to the potty by herself! It was a rough start. She had her big girl panties on (Cinderella and Dora) and had to go. She started crying that she wanted a Pull Up (if I had to do it all again, I would not use Pull Ups). We told her that big girls don't need Pull Ups and that she should go in the potty! She cried more. (I felt like we were psychologically damaging her). Anyway, we had a few accidents, when all of a sudden, she had to go again, she went into the powder room, pulled her panties down and went on the potty (we gave her a choice of toilet or potty chair; she chose potty chair). There was great rejoicing in our house!! Mommy and Daddy cheering and clapping our hands. The princess was quite amused! Now the fun started. She went (I kid you not) at least 20 times in the next hour -- I think she wanted us to continue to make a big deal, which we did!

Today, she went to school in her big girl panties. When I called a little while ago, they said she was doing great! Now to the next big event.. poopy in the potty!

My sister Lisa bought Lizzie's Baby Cathy some new clothes. I personally think the doll looks like she belongs in Folsom Prison... you decide! (FYI. the picture is fuzzy because I took it with my cell phone!)

Many Updates!

Hi. A lot has been going on since the last update. My surgery date for the lapband surgery. My original surgery date was this Thursday, August 23. Unfortunately, it needed to be changed to October 4, 2007. Let me explain: when you start your journey for weight loss surgery, you have to undergo several tests. I had to get a cardiac clearance. This entailed having a nuclear stress test. The test itself wasn't too bad. Anyway, when the cardiologist called me with results, he said that "there may be something". Well, you an imagine what I thought! He said my EKG was very good and that showed that I had a strong heart. The echocardiogram was also very good, which shows how strong the heart valves are. The actual nuclear part of the stress test showed a potential blockage! My cardiologist said he didn't think it was anything, but that the doctor that read it said it could be a blockage. Anyway, I had to have a cardiac catherization on Thursday, August 17. Thank God that everything was clear. The doctor said I have a very strong heart. Well, enough about me.

Lizzie is officially in her big girl bed now. It is a twin bed with Cinderella sheets, comforter and pillow. She absolutely loves it. No one can sit on the bed except Mommy and Daddy and Aunt Lisa and Aunt Fran. She even told her Mom-Mom to move to a chair. The first day we had it set up she was up and down the stairs at least 20 times checking on it! Our baby will be three years old on September 20. I simply cannot believe it!

Here are some random pictures for you to enjoy!

New Give-Away at 5 Minutes for Mom!

One of my favorite blogs to visit is 5 Minutes for Mom. The have weekly contests for great items. This week it is a 32" flat screen TV courtesy of Best Buy. Go on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and enter the contest!

Long, Long, Long Overdue Update

Okay, so flog me with a wet noodle because I haven't updated for two months! A lot has happened in my life so here is my attempt to bring you up-to-date.

Starting in June, my father went into the hospital for a double-bypass and valve replacement. He went in on June 8 and didn't get out until June 22. He had to have another surgery for an infection that set in under his breast bone and then had to have his breast bone reset because it broke in a different place than where they did the surgery! He is thankfully on the mend now at home.

At the end of June, my brother-in-law, was in a serious car accident when he was only 5 minutes away from home. He was driving north on 295 and a car travelling south on 295 came across six lanes of the highway and hit him headon. Rob broke his thigh bone, chipped his tibula, broke bones in his ankle and has a chipped vertebra at the belly-button level. God was with him because he could have been killed. He has been in the hospital since June 28 and is coming home this Friday or Saturday.

So you can see why an update hasn't been done in a while!

Lizzie is growing like a weed and chatting up a storm. She has become the Great Negotiator when she wants something. We are also enjoying the lively conversation she has at night when we put her to bed talking to Baby Cathy (her doll) and Kitty Cat. Some nights she goes on for an hour or more!

I finally have a surgery date for my LapBand surgery. August 23rd. I am a little nervous but know this is the best thing for both me and my family.

I don't have many pictures, but here are some of Lizzie on 4th of July. We took a nap and when I tried to wake her up, she laid right back down and feel asleep. Ah, the exciting life we lead!

Guess What Our Princess Did This Time.....

The other afternoon/early evening, Lizzie was running around and grabbed the phone from me. Before I could get it from her, I heard a voice on the other end. I quick took the phone back and discovered she had dialed 911. Lovely! I told the man on the other end that she was two and did it by mistake. He said I would have to tell the township police and he transferred me over to them. I then explained to the police and they said they still had to send someone out to investigate. The officer came to the door about 5 minutes later. (Side Note: Young and very cute!! -- End Side note) Anyway, he said that they always have to investigate just to be sure. I thanked him and he was on his way. The lesson for today is...keep the phone away from your ambitious 2 1/2 year old!

Easter Photos 2007

A friend I work with does portraits on the side. She comes to your house and takes pictures of your children. Here are some of the photos:

My New Journey

Well, searching my soul long and hard, I have finally decided to have lapband surgery. I was oriignally going to have gastric bypass, but after futher research, I felt that it was not the best for me. The lapband will be a slower weight loss, but in the end the result is the same as the gastric bypass. My sister Lisa is going on the same journey with me, so we are in it together. We choose the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Noel Williams as our surgeon. I will post and give you the progress as we get further along into the process. More than likely, I will start a new blog and will post that link after I get set up!

Wish me luck.

Cathy

Another Busy Day..

There is never a dull moment in our house ... not since Lizzie came that is! Here is the latest update:

Saturday night, March 17, we were finishing up dinner. Guy and I were cleaning up the dishes and Miss Lizzie was watching us. We have a half wall that separates the eat in part of the kitchen from the actual cooking part of the kitchen. Well, I guess you can see where this is going. Next thing I know, I hear this loud bang and then the screaming started. She fell of the chair and cracked the back of her head on the leg of our kitchen table. Guy grabbed her and gave her to me. I could already feel the wetness in her hair. After getting a wet paper towel, I could see the blood. We quickly grabbed what we needed and off we went to the hospital. After a 4 hour wait -- yes 4 hours, the pediatrician came and said that it was our choice whether or not we wanted a staple put on the wound. The wound was about 1/2 long and about 1/4 inch wide. He said that he would not be able to numb the area before the staple went in and the difference would be a really skinny scar or a skinny scar. We opted not to do anything but neosporin. Well it is now over a week later and she is fine. We of course, lost some of our hair over worry. She knows now that if she hops from chair to chair she can get a boo-boo on her head!

Here is a cute picture of my daughter and how busy a 2 1/2 year old can be. Out of the blue, she decided to put her shoes on. I said to her, where are you going? She said, I am taking baby Cathy for a walk. The taffy went in her mouth. Her pocketbook went on her arm and off she went taking her baby for a walk around the house. Oh, by the way, baby Cathy must wear all of the clothes she has at all times...even if it stretches them out of shape.

Sitting Here Missing My Friend....

I has been exactly 16 months since I saw my friend Kelley in Guangzhou, China. Kelley was and is part of our February Love Bugs group that travelled to China together to pick up our girls. Kelley and I were co-moderators of our Yahoo support group. Kelley was also my go-to person when I had one of a million questions about what to do! You know, WWKD (What Would Kelley Do)!! She patiently answered all my questions, no matter how silly they seemed. Kelley is a wonderful person and I wish we lived closer to each other. Kelley is in Texas and we are in New Jersey! Kelley, I will be calling you soon!
Love Cathy

Alright, Enough Already....

Now, before we took Lizzie to get the "official" portrait done in her Chinese dress, we took some just for fun pictures....these are priceless!

I Know Christmas Is Over But....

I forgot to post Lizzie's Santa Claus picture. This picture was taken at her school right before Christmas!

Pictures of Lizzie

Alright, Ok, I Know!! I Haven't Posted In A While!

I know, it has been almost two months since my last post. There has been a lot going on in our family in the last two months. Most of it not real good, but I won't go into all of that right now.

Lizzie is now 2 1/2 years old. She is quite the little girl now. She is having full conversations with us now. She can sing the alphabet, count to at least 17 and knows all of her colors! She loves her babies (Baby Michelle (for Michelle Kwan) and Baby Cathy (for Mommy)! She dresses them, undresses them, dresses them (usually puts all of their clothes on at once)!

She absolutely, positively love Loves LOVES stickers! She was putting them everywhere, but we have finally trained her to only put them in her sticker book! She also loves to color. Her favorite TV shows are Thomas the Tank Engine and Dora the Explorer.

We are getting ready to celebrate Chinese New Year. We took her to The Picture People to have her formal portrait done in her Chinese dress. She was absolutely not going to smile until the photographer promised her stickers. Here are the pictures, we hope you enjoy them. I promise to post more often!