Four Year Old Thinking

On the way home from ballet today, we had one of those conversations that makes my heart melt and my soul sing. One of those conversations that convince you that becoming a parent is truly the best thing you've ever done. And since she won't say these things to me after age 9 or 1o, I'm trying to soak it up now.


Liv: Mom, what house will I have?

Me: Um, what do you mean, what house will you have?

Liv: What house will I live in with my kids?

Me: You want to know what house you'll live in when you grow up and have your own babies?

Liv: Yes.

Me: I don't know. You'll get to pick it out yourself. When you get married and have kids, you and your husband can find one like Daddy and I did.

Liv: I want to live next door.

Me: Next door to Daddy and I?

Liv: Yeah. Then we could be neighbors.

Me: Then I could see you and your kids all the time. That sounds good to me.

Liv: And I want my house to be turquoise.

Happy Birthday My Baby Girl

Happy 2nd Birthday to a beautiful girl that captured our hearts the instant we met. You make us smile and laugh all day long and you truly have the best sense of humor. You came along and helped us realize we could love two little girls more than anything in the world.

You are generous, perceptive, goofy, loving, and an incomparable cuddlebug. You give the best hugs and kisses, and your smile lights up your face, and our lives. Thank you for two amazing years, can't wait to see how you grow this year!

Be Vigilant

Early detection has caught two very serious forms of cancer (and pre-cancer) in my family in the past month, and I am feeling incredibly blessed that both were caught early and are extremely treatable, so we can get on to living and enjoying life. I am also learning not to mess around when it comes to my health and the health of my family.

My cousin-in-law Darcy is running in a marathon this weekend to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of her sister Megan, who was diagnosed with Leukemia the day after Olivia was born in 2006. To experience such happiness and horror at the same time was incredibly intense for our family and we are blessed that Megan's Leukemia continues to be in remission.

In recent days, my friend lost one of her dearest friends to breast cancer and to see such grief and know how deeply this woman is missed...it's heartbreaking. And yet breast cancer is considered one of the most "curable" cancers around if caught and treated early. My Mother's surgeon praised her mammogram for finding her tumor before it grew too big, or spread, and remarked that her case is an example of early detection at it's best. I am grateful to advanced technology for saving my Mom's life and I'm grateful that she took the initiative to get her yearly mammogram.

So I ask you this:

Have you done a self-exam recently?

Have you kept an eye on your moles or seen a dermatologist recently?

Have you had an annual physical or other annual male/female test?

Has something been bothering you lately and you keep putting off a doctor's visit?

Please don't hesitate and please be vigilant about all health concerns. As much as ignorance is bliss, ignorance can also be deadly.

I am grateful for vigilance these days. I am simply grateful.

The Best of Motherhood (The Early Years)

May I never forget:

~ My babies sleeping with hands raised next to their dreamy little heads

~ Playing peek-a-boo (which even 4 year olds continue to enjoy)

~ Hearing my girls laugh and giggle together

~ The innocence of a babe sleeping (no matter the age)

~ Kissing the top of their sweet, smooth heads

~ Locking eyes with my newborns and feeling instantly connected

~ Finding my girls laying on their tummies reading a book

~ Great big belly laughs

What will you never forget?

Let the Mania Begin...

If you haven't heard of the American Girl dolls, you must not have a daughter/niece/granddaughter between the ages of 5-10. The American Girl phenomenon is based on a line of historical girl characters and is marketed through dolls, books, accessories, movies, and a magazine. I think most would agree that this is based upon a great idea; enlivening history and encouraging children to learn more about what it was like to be a 9-year old girl during revolutionary time periods such as the Colonial times, The Great Depression and World War II. I even showed one of their movies to my 5th graders when we studied the American Revolution.

However, as a parent (in a single-income household), I have dreaded the introduction of my daughter to the world of American Girl. Why? Because a single doll comes at the exorbitant price of $95. And if you want to get that doll a new outfit, it costs anywhere from $24-34. A doll bed will run you $85. Want the adorable dresser to hold your doll's sweet clothes? Be prepared to pay $350...mind you, that's more than the cost of my daughter's own dresser! So you can see why I dreaded yesterday...

We were invited to the American Girl Store in Los Angeles to celebrate the birthday of P, one of Olivia's closest friends. For true American Girl devotees, this place is called Heaven. All the party attendees brought their American Girl dolls, while Birthday Girl P lent Livy one of her own dolls, Kit. In the beginning, Livy wanted nothing to do with holding Kit. But as we wandered through the store and discovered all the different dolls and their neat accessories and adorable outfits, my girl became enamored.

After wandering the store, it was time for lunch at The Cafe. What a dream come true for little girls! The entire room was decorated in black, white and hot pink. The dolls had special table-side seats to join in the meal. The dolls had tiny teacups and saucers for tea time (hot chocolate) with the girls. The meal of doll-size hot dog and hamburger was a hit, as was the heart-shaped fruit and petite cinnamon rolls.

Dessert was an adorable array of pudding, cake and cookie and even us moms were "yumming" over it. From start to finish, this was all-out girlie fun for all ages and it blew all of us away. I was even finding myself enamored with American Girl!

It was time to part ways with American Girl, but not without some wistful sadness (Malia was determined to walk out with the restaurant's loaner baby no matter what).

The girls wished in the pond as we left The Grove shopping center and yes, my girl wished for her very own doll. Here's hoping it's a short-term wish and we won't be seeing any American Girl dolls on her Christmas wish list!