Precious Moments

It was a tough day for a toddler trying to assert her independence.

The target: the babysitter.
The objective: make sure not to obey no matter the consequences.
The war front: a toy that needed to be picked up

Mark received a phone call this afternoon from a befuddled babysitter. She explained that Katelee had been in "time out" for about 30 minutes now, but she would still not "give in." The babysitter had asked her to pick up a toy, but Katelee defiantly said "no." Thus, she earned a time out until she could pick up the toy. A logical kid would have picked up the toy. Katelee, on the other hand, decided to make her stand. Thus, she just cried (without tears) for 30 minutes. Unsure of how to counter this effective maneuver, the babysitter finally called a life line. Of course, Katelee sensed reinforcements and a change in strategy was coming, so she promptly became quiet at that point.

This scenario actually played out (but not quite to the same extent) three times with the babysitter. Then, it occurred again when dad got home.

Sensing it was a tough day for the tiny toddler, Mark put her to bed a bit early. Then, he climbed into bed with her and rubbed her back and sang her some songs. After about 20 minutes, Katelee rolled over, threw her arm over Mark's neck, and said "I love you so much."

Feeling that special father-daughter bond, Mark replied, "I love you so much too."

Katelee's responded: "Whew, you have some stinky breath." "And your teeth are yellow." (never mind that it is dark and she can't see my teeth)

Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck with my other daughter. So, Mark headed to Olivia's room to tuck her in and sing her a song. Just sing me a lullaby she requested. After a rendition of "Baby Mine," Olivia offered: "not bad for getting it wrong."

Good night girls.

Ready for School

Olivia showing her Missouri spirit in New Mexico.

A Study of Comparisons

The girls enjoyed another day with the new babysitter. Granted, they are testing their boundaries. Katelee, when given a command to pick up toys says: "why don't you pick them up." Meanwhile, Olivia says: "I don't have to because you aren't my mom and you don't live here." Fortunately, the babysitter doesn't put up with that kind of nonsense!

A Study of Comparisons

1. Supervised fun -- building a fort and enjoying a cold hose.

2. Unsupervised fun -- crushing all the dixie cups and putting them in the sink while dad talks to mom on the phone.

Enjoying parenthood.

Rainbows & Ballerinas

Olivia Makes the Paper

All Dressed Up and . . .

The girls decided to wear their butterfly shirts today for church. Fortunately, they had different colored head bands so we could tell them apart from each other. We stopped by BK for lunch and enjoyed it on our back porch (except for the pesky flies).

One Week Down

After a week of acclimating to New Mexico, the house seems to be settling just a bit. Furniture seems to be finding a home. Of course, all the furniture has been warned not to get too comfortable where it is sitting because it will likely be moved once Courtney arrives home. Olivia is becoming more accustomed to the idea of school. And, in true education fashion, she has learned the value of the weekend too -- "NO SCHOOL!" Katelee has had a couple babysitters, and she will get another one this week. Yet, she seems to be managing it well (minus the first minute of Mark leaving). Even the cats seem to be enjoying their new surroundings. Grass is a new thing, and it seems they like it! There are just two things missing -- MOMMA & Tennyson. All in good time though.

On the Road to Home

Mark left Florida last week for Missouri to pick up the girls. The trip was relatively uneventful, which is good considering the truck was packed with a dog and two cats. He had the great pleasure of stopping in Nashville to have dinner with his good friend, Meghan. The friend is actually married to Matthew Perryman Jones, a great musician. Check him out on Facebook. Eventually, he made it to Missouri and got to visit with family and pick up the girls. Then, he loaded the truck up with one dog, two cats, two girls, and couple more suitcases. What could go wrong? Actually, the first eight hours went very well. There were a few lessons learned though.

1. DVD players are a wonderful blessing that make the time go much quicker. I’m certain the covered wagons would have crossed the prairie faster if their kids would have had DVDs to watch.

2. Two cats, two girls, one dog: the frequency of stops will be determined by the weakest bladder.

3. Kids have their traveling limits. Eight hours seemed to be ours.

4. A new day does not set the clock back to zero traveling hours. The previous day’s eight hours carry over. Thus, the girls’ traveling limit starts earlier the next day.

5. A good dinner with a good friend makes a long trip tolerable.

6. Cats cannot howl for a continuous eight hours. They only last about two.

7. Unlike a dog, evidently a cat will poop in its kennel. Kids think that is funny.

We did stop eventually in Shamrock, TX. This gave us time to swim, eat, and sleep. Then, the next day, we made the last few hours to New Mexico. We stopped by the realtor's office, picked up our keys, and went to see our new house.

THE GIRLS POSE IN FRONT OF THEIR NEW HOME

Once we got inside, Mark filmed the girls exploring the rooms. The cats and dog did the same. We unloaded our stuff, registered Olivia in Kindergarten, went to get dinner, and then set up camp -- a bedroom floor. One night on the floor was enough; then we checked into base lodging for a few nights.

The next morning was Olivia's first day of school! Thanks to her mother and her grandmother carefully pre-arranging all the aesthetic details (clothes, hair, etc.), how could a dad screw up? She was excited to go! So, we walked to school, backpack loaded.

OLIVIA MEETS HER TEACHER -- MS. DAVIS

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Katelee entertains herself in a big, empty house. She has a babysitter while dad works.

After school, Olivia gives Courtney an update of the activities via Skype.

Olivia has already met one friend -- a boy -- who she says she will marry. She has also already learned the value of the weekend. "Is today Friday?" she asks. Yes. "Good, tomorrow is Saturday, and we don't have school." Amen!

On the Move . . . Or, Sitting Still

Nothing is happening very quickly!

As we wrap up our final days in Orlando, Courtney continues to rest and Tennyson continues to grow. Saturday the 21st will mark Week 31 for Tennyson, which also means 3 more weeks of bed rest for Courtney. Although Courtney continues to expierience contractions, they don't seem to be affecting Tennyson as much. Her heart rate generally looks pretty good.

Meanwhile, back at the house, everything is packed into boxes. Yet, the truck won't arrive until Monday to load it all. Then, Mark will hit the road to pick up the girls and head to our new home. We are looking forward to getting settled again in our new place. We'll miss seeing all the fun sites of Florida -- alligators, Mickey Mouse, and strange moths.

Week 28 (almost)

It has been a little over two weeks since Courtney entered the hospital with contractions. The staff has been great taking care of her. Of course, to remind her of how much her family loves her, she has some fun wall decorations. Also, the girls just finished a one week trip to lavish some lovin' on mom. They returned to Missouri with Grandma today.

Time Ticks By

A Nice Reminder

From Olivia, To Mom

I GIVE YOU THIS

SWEET SUNSHINE

FROM OLIVIA

TO: MOM

Our Family

DSC_0092 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

I am Woman

Mitchell Family Reunion 282, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Is there any question why I love my wife?

Fourth of July

DSC_0137, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Growing Too Quickly!

2010 June 179, originally uploaded by counsel14.

Sea World

The girls only have about a week left in Orlando. We are heading north for a family reunion next week, and they will stay with the grandparents through the rest of July. Thus, we are trying to squeeze in a few last fun activities. Wednesday = Sea World. It was blistering hot and humid, so the kid's water area was a treat, especially when followed by the Wild Arctic. Both girls rode several rides, and Olivia was quite proud to ride a kid's roller coaster all by herself. All in all, it was a good day of fun!

Thelma & Louise II

P6120054 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

At the birthday party, the girls found a new favorite toy -- a battery-powered jeep. They went off-roading all over the yard . . . clearly enjoying themselves!

Sweet Looks

P6120085 edit, originally uploaded by counsel14.

The girls enjoyed a birthday party today. We were fortunate to snap this cute picture. Enjoy.

When the Cat is Away

Courtney left town on Thursday to find us a new house at our next location. Thus, she is enjoying the wonderful 100 degree heat of New Mexico. Meanwhile, the kids are enjoying dad time.
Day 1: Dunkin Doughnuts
Day 2: McDonald's Play Place
Day 3: Dog Park
Only 2 more days to play!

We have also started letting Olivia and Katelee sleep together. Katelee hasn't quite got the knack of staying in her big bed, but she is improving. Last night, when I went to go check on them, I found them cuddled together. I think they miss their momma!

Never Let a Crisis go to Waste

Courtney's purse was stolen last week, along with her identification in the purse. This meant we had to make a special trip over to Patrick to get a new ID card. Well, if you are on the coast, you might as well enjoy the beach!

So, after pretty pictures and lamination was complete, we grabbed lunch, found a new purse for Courtney, and headed to the beach. Katelee is still freaked out about the waves and won't go near the water. Olivia actually dove into the waves with her mask. The wave won, sending Olivia tumbling. The girls dug holes, made mermaid tails, made sand angels, and watched the pelicans plunge into the water. We were done after about an hour and a half, and showers and bedtime waited for us at home.