Leah loves the Cinderella cell phone that our neighbor Addie gave to her. I'd give you the number, but I'm not sure what the area code is for "Far, Far away." Leah has been a trooper lately. She battled some serious diaper rash (Balmex and Aveeno baby oatmeal baths were a big help) this week, which made her not quite her usual self. Still she pulled through like the princess she is!
Leah's vocabulary is exploding by the minute and several people have commented to me that she's getting clearer and easier to understand as well. I guess with all her new words this picture shouldn't be a surprise to me. Leah already talks on speaker phone with her Grandparents, Daddy and aunts and uncles...but I'm sure chatting it up on the phone in her own conversations with friends and relatives is just around the corner!!!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Getting bigger everyday!
Thankfully you can still see some "chub" on Leah! I don't know what I'll do when the "rubberbands" (the little creases at her wrists) and her babyish face make way for the "big girl" that I know she will soon become. Until then I am enjoying Leah's ever changing ways. As a baby she was strong-willed, happy, and inquisitive. She is still all those things as a toddler, but those qualitites come out in different ways.
Instead of deeply examining items like she used to, Leah now walks around the house pointing and saying "Whasdat?" It's her own little approximation of "What is that?"
Now when I take a dangerous (or just plain gross) item away, her response is to SCREAM...when I used to just be able to redirect her attention. I know what you're thinking..."That sweet little angel in the picture, screaming?" Oh yeah. LeLe's still a sweet little girl...but as one Mom said to me at playgroup this morning "her smile definitely has a look of mischief to it!"
Of course, Leah is also still a happy little girl. Today at playgroup she kept climbing on chairs to stand on them. Whenever I would get up to go and ask her to sit down, she'd get right down into a sit position and smile at me. She knows what she's doing!!! She'd make a funny face and giggle to try and distract me from the task of teaching her that "chairs are for sitting!!" I laugh inside (it's a cute little funny face she makes...and boy is she lucky she's so cute!!), but I keep a straight face for her. One day she'll get it, and hopefully without clocking herself upside the head after falling off a chair!
Instead of deeply examining items like she used to, Leah now walks around the house pointing and saying "Whasdat?" It's her own little approximation of "What is that?"
Now when I take a dangerous (or just plain gross) item away, her response is to SCREAM...when I used to just be able to redirect her attention. I know what you're thinking..."That sweet little angel in the picture, screaming?" Oh yeah. LeLe's still a sweet little girl...but as one Mom said to me at playgroup this morning "her smile definitely has a look of mischief to it!"
Of course, Leah is also still a happy little girl. Today at playgroup she kept climbing on chairs to stand on them. Whenever I would get up to go and ask her to sit down, she'd get right down into a sit position and smile at me. She knows what she's doing!!! She'd make a funny face and giggle to try and distract me from the task of teaching her that "chairs are for sitting!!" I laugh inside (it's a cute little funny face she makes...and boy is she lucky she's so cute!!), but I keep a straight face for her. One day she'll get it, and hopefully without clocking herself upside the head after falling off a chair!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
April Showers!!!!
Yep, it's still rainy here in CNY. Hey, at least it's not snow right? I thought I would post this cute shot of my Mom with Leah in her little rain slicker. I think it's cute even if Leah is looking awfully serious.
Slowly but surely I'm getting back to my normal self. My little duckling Leah is helping a lot with that. She is getting better at entertaining herself without getting into too much mischief and she is communicating so well. it's nice to know what she wants so that I can better meet her needs or explain why she can't have a certain thing at a given moment. Sure...she likes to tear through the kitchen garbage and take full cups of (old and cold) coffee off our end table...but it was my fault for leaving it there.
I just have to give myself a break and be patient with myself (something I'm not always very good at). I know that will help me get through these rainy and challenging toddler days with my sanity intact!
Slowly but surely I'm getting back to my normal self. My little duckling Leah is helping a lot with that. She is getting better at entertaining herself without getting into too much mischief and she is communicating so well. it's nice to know what she wants so that I can better meet her needs or explain why she can't have a certain thing at a given moment. Sure...she likes to tear through the kitchen garbage and take full cups of (old and cold) coffee off our end table...but it was my fault for leaving it there.
I just have to give myself a break and be patient with myself (something I'm not always very good at). I know that will help me get through these rainy and challenging toddler days with my sanity intact!
Monday, April 24, 2006
Recuperating
I wouldn't normally post such a TERRIBLE picture of myself...but it captures all the sweetness of Leah. She lovingly filled the couch where I was sleeping off the anesthesia with all of her stuffed animals. There are a bunch more at my feet, just out of the shot.
As you can see, I sorely needed some TLC after the operation (as well as some serious zzzzs). Thanks to everyone who called, emailed, or commented with their well-wishes. I really appreciate it. Thankfully, my Mom came up this weekend, which gave me a true break and even enabled Pete and I to go out to dinner and get done a few household jobs we had been putting off. It was so great to have her here. Sometimes when you are sick you just need your MOM!!!!! I even got a chance to get my hair cut and colored on Saturday...so excuse the rats nest seen in this picture. The O.R. "shower cap" they give patients hadn't done much for the style, but thankfully it has been taken care of!
As you can see, I sorely needed some TLC after the operation (as well as some serious zzzzs). Thanks to everyone who called, emailed, or commented with their well-wishes. I really appreciate it. Thankfully, my Mom came up this weekend, which gave me a true break and even enabled Pete and I to go out to dinner and get done a few household jobs we had been putting off. It was so great to have her here. Sometimes when you are sick you just need your MOM!!!!! I even got a chance to get my hair cut and colored on Saturday...so excuse the rats nest seen in this picture. The O.R. "shower cap" they give patients hadn't done much for the style, but thankfully it has been taken care of!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Getting back into the swing of things
Most of you know I was scheduled to have a breast biopsy yesterday, after the obstetrician found a lump. We waited until I was officially in my second trimester and all seemed to go well. Better than planned actually. What was originally thought to be a fibroadenoma (a type of benign tumor) seemed more cyst-like when the surgeon removed it, and that's a good thing. We still need to wait for the lab results but I'm not too worried. I'm pretty confident all of this abnormality is related to pregnancies, nursing, and hormones. The nurses and doctors were sure to locate the fetal heartbeat before and after the surgery just to check that all was normal with Baby Nowak #2, and it was. I'm still tired from the anesthesia and my incision is sore but otherwise I'm back to normal.
This picture of Clare and Leah made me smile today when I downloaded it from my camera. Clare has such a sweet smile and I love the way Leah is "fixing" her little cousin's bow. What a pair of sweeties in their matching dresses!!!! So cute.
This picture of Clare and Leah made me smile today when I downloaded it from my camera. Clare has such a sweet smile and I love the way Leah is "fixing" her little cousin's bow. What a pair of sweeties in their matching dresses!!!! So cute.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
My Grandma
This is the most recent picture I could find with my Grandma and Leah. After a long, very well-lived, loving life my Grandma passed away on Friday. I didn't quite make it to the hospital on time to see her that day but in my heart I know she was aware of just how much I loved her and what a strong (yet quiet) influence she was in my life. I feel as if I can't even begin to understand the depths to which I will miss her.
I love this picture because of the smile on my Grandpa's face. I am afraid it will be a while before I get to see him smiling this way again. But his three great-grandchildren, Owen, Leah, and Clare, seem to help with that. I also love that you can see my favorite corner in my grandparents' house in this shot, filled with pictures of family, especially their 14 grandchildren. This little picture, which was lost in a sea of the hundreds of pictures I take, didn't seem extraordinary when I took it. Now, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it sooner. It brings tears to my eyes and captures so much of what is important to me in this world.
Leah's round little face and her sense of knowing what she wants, reminds me of my Grandma. I am so happy that they had the chance to know each other. Even if it was only for a short time. I will miss you Grandma.
I love this picture because of the smile on my Grandpa's face. I am afraid it will be a while before I get to see him smiling this way again. But his three great-grandchildren, Owen, Leah, and Clare, seem to help with that. I also love that you can see my favorite corner in my grandparents' house in this shot, filled with pictures of family, especially their 14 grandchildren. This little picture, which was lost in a sea of the hundreds of pictures I take, didn't seem extraordinary when I took it. Now, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it sooner. It brings tears to my eyes and captures so much of what is important to me in this world.
Leah's round little face and her sense of knowing what she wants, reminds me of my Grandma. I am so happy that they had the chance to know each other. Even if it was only for a short time. I will miss you Grandma.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
SAVE ERIN!!!!!!
This week I wished I was Ferris Bueller. How nice it would be to fake being sick and enjoy a warm spring day taking in the sights of Chicago. Unfortunately I really was sick. And I have to say it was close to the worst I've ever felt in my life. I couldn't keep anything down for about three days. Was it a stomach bug? Could be, but I think it's unlikely since Pete and Leah are just peachy. No....I think it's the new baby we're expecting!!!!!!!!
I didn't want to break the news on the blog like this...but I was trying to think of a creative idea and this illness just wiped all of the creativity out of me. Thankfully the Dr. perscriped my new best friend (for the time being) Zofran, an anti-nausea and vomiting medication, that seems to have controlled the problems for now. I'm still exhausted and not
100%, but we are excited to welcome this new addition to our family in October. As you can see from the picture, Leah is already practicing being a big sister. Let's hope this pregnancy gets a little easier from here on out. It certainly has been different from when I was expecting Leah!!!! I was sick...but never like this!!!! Enjoy the day and the Easter Holiday everyone. I promise to return on Tuesday with some new and exciting pictures and entries!!!
I didn't want to break the news on the blog like this...but I was trying to think of a creative idea and this illness just wiped all of the creativity out of me. Thankfully the Dr. perscriped my new best friend (for the time being) Zofran, an anti-nausea and vomiting medication, that seems to have controlled the problems for now. I'm still exhausted and not
100%, but we are excited to welcome this new addition to our family in October. As you can see from the picture, Leah is already practicing being a big sister. Let's hope this pregnancy gets a little easier from here on out. It certainly has been different from when I was expecting Leah!!!! I was sick...but never like this!!!! Enjoy the day and the Easter Holiday everyone. I promise to return on Tuesday with some new and exciting pictures and entries!!!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Guest Blogger - Kathleen/Auntie K
Erin has been dealing with a stomach bug the past 2 days and isn't feeling well...so I offered to post a picture and jot a little note on her blog. I haven't done Clare's blog today, but Erin is much better about doing Leah's regularly and I know she has some loyal viewers, so I decided to help her out and give her a little break. This picture is 2 months old (I had it on Clare's blog a while ago), but it is one of my favorites! I thought it was also appropriate since this was taken the last time that we saw Leah and Erin and we are anxiously awaiting this weekend, when we get to see them again! When they are together, Leah and Clare love looking at and "talking" to eachother....we try to keep them connected when they are apart via our speakerphone conversations. Erin told me that Leah looked at a picture of Mark and I in her family photo book and said, "Clare". I guess we need to get Leah an updated photo that includes her little cousin. I can't wait until Clare can chase after her big cousin Leah! I hope they can be more than just cousins...but great friends! Feel better Er...talk to you later.
Friday, April 07, 2006
Buddies
I couldn't resist this early morning picture of Leah and Lemmy looking out the window together. I love Lemmy's standing position and how she might be almost as tall as LeLe! When Lemmy came up to take a peek, Leah slowly inched closer to her with little sidesteps. It was very sweet, and showed me that Leah is getting how animals work and the way we humans need to treat our pets. OK...she still needs some work on that last part, but it's improving. Pete had to leave at 5:30 this morning for a business trip. Thankfully it's just for the day...but with this giving up nap stuff and the cloudy weather, I'm sure it will be a long one for me! Maybe that's who Leah and Lemmy were looking for at the window...Daddy. Come home soon! Have a great weekend everyone!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Late again!!!!
Whew! It's been a rough couple days. Work, Dr. Appts, and life in general have been VERY HECTIC. Not to mention it seems we're dropping the morning nap (at least on some days) so that's been an added bonus. The highlight of our day today was was the Easter egg hunt for my MOPS discussion group at Katie's house. leah had a great time and even though she can't really eat what's in the eggs, she had a blast looking for them. She loves to be around the other kids and it was nice to get some time in with friends of my own. Thankfully Leah was SO tuckered out from our busy morning and early afternoon that I was actually able to put her down for a decent afternoon nap!!! One small victory for Mommy!
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The world we live in and life in general
This one was taken by Daddy (of course!) several weeks ago. I had purchased some provisions for my book club, since I was host, but most of it never got utilized. True, the ladies are mostly wine drinkers...but even so we pretty much stuck to soda that evening. Oh well...as you can see, it provided Leah with a climbing toy at the very least.
Our trip to the doctor was relatively succesful yesterday. The behavior was improved from our last visit (although there were still plenty of tears) and overall Leah seems to be coming along nicely. Her stats were:
Length 29" (although we're pretty sure that's completely inaccurate. I can't wait until we can take a standing measurement from her!!)
Weight 20lbs, 12 oz (still a peanut but the doctor wasn't too worried, it put her in an acceptable percentile range I guess)
And head circumference 47.5 (I don't even know what to say about that except that it seems huge compared to everything else!)
Developmentally the kid is doing amazing, so what if she's a shorty right? She survived two shots and was right back out into the waiting room so we could check out, waving and smiling at all the kids. She really is a sweet little girl! I'd like to keep her that way...so no beer until she's at least 25 or 30 :)
Oh yes...and big ups to whoever knows where today's title comes from (without looking it up on the internet...). If you get it right you can come to our house and have one of these beers. Seriously...I think it's been like a month and they're still hanging around!
Our trip to the doctor was relatively succesful yesterday. The behavior was improved from our last visit (although there were still plenty of tears) and overall Leah seems to be coming along nicely. Her stats were:
Length 29" (although we're pretty sure that's completely inaccurate. I can't wait until we can take a standing measurement from her!!)
Weight 20lbs, 12 oz (still a peanut but the doctor wasn't too worried, it put her in an acceptable percentile range I guess)
And head circumference 47.5 (I don't even know what to say about that except that it seems huge compared to everything else!)
Developmentally the kid is doing amazing, so what if she's a shorty right? She survived two shots and was right back out into the waiting room so we could check out, waving and smiling at all the kids. She really is a sweet little girl! I'd like to keep her that way...so no beer until she's at least 25 or 30 :)
Oh yes...and big ups to whoever knows where today's title comes from (without looking it up on the internet...). If you get it right you can come to our house and have one of these beers. Seriously...I think it's been like a month and they're still hanging around!
Monday, April 03, 2006
My Girl
Happy Monday everyone! Leah and I unfotunately have to skip our swimming lesson today in order to get to Leah's 15 month old check up with the pediatrician. It will be interesting to see how she behaves. I've been doing my best to prepare her for the visit to the doctor, but I'm not sure how much has sunk in. She knows the words "eyes," "nose," and "feet" and can identify most of the parts of her body now...so I figure that might help in some way.
One of Leah's favorite parts of her body is her tummy (which I must say is looking totally toddler fabulous in this shot!). Don't you love the way she has it sticking out over the jeans without a care? Oh to have the confidence and nonchalant attitude of a 15 month old! I know people gain modesty and lose much of their carefree attitude as we get older, but I hope a little bit of Leah's unabashed pride in herself sticks with her. What a sweet little girl! Wish us luck at the doctor today!
One of Leah's favorite parts of her body is her tummy (which I must say is looking totally toddler fabulous in this shot!). Don't you love the way she has it sticking out over the jeans without a care? Oh to have the confidence and nonchalant attitude of a 15 month old! I know people gain modesty and lose much of their carefree attitude as we get older, but I hope a little bit of Leah's unabashed pride in herself sticks with her. What a sweet little girl! Wish us luck at the doctor today!
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