grr

For the last time, I do not LIKE cold sprinkles.

Easter 08

Catching up, once again, we had a lovely Easter celebration this year. We started reading books and talking about the Easter bunny about a month before the big day. Excitement built as we made plans to go to church (!), brunch with friends, and hunt eggs all over town. In anticipation, Zach attended several pre-Easter egg hunts. Practice rounds, really. He started to get the hang of this whole, Easter-Bunny-loves-me-and-brings-me-special-treats thing. After seeing a neighbor's grandson scuttling about on his bicycle, he insisted that the Easter Bunny was going to bring him a Toot Wheeled bike. Given the sugar shots the E.B. injects in to our young boy, I thought it only fair that she give him an outlet for all that foreign energy, and I gave her the go-ahead.

So here's how it went down: the kids checked out their goodie baskets, Zach cruised on his new bike, and we suited up in our Sunday best. We went to church, made a rukus and cut out of there before anyone could catch us. (I think Zachary can be accurately quoted as having said "I don't LIKE church." while we were seated in pew 6 during the sermon.) We came home for a FANTASTIC brunch on the deck with the D'Andreas. (They also went to church and misbehaved, but I don't think they will admit to it.) Naps commenced, and all was quiet for a little while. Then we hit our third, no, make that fourth, Easter egg hunt.

It was a good time. Except, the candy mysteriously disappeared shortly after Easter. Doesn't the E.B. know about no-take-backs?

Spring Fever?

I love spring. I love spring. If you have ever read Toot and Puddle, then you will understand what I mean when I say that spring makes me feel like Puddle (i.e., I want to be home all the time), while winter makes me feel like Toot (in other words, I want to get the heck out of Dodge!)

Here in our urban paradise, things are just bursting with spring-y-ness. We found a fist size bundle of frog eggs in the pond. (Yippee, we didn't kill everything in the pond over winter!) Within days of noticing the treasure, the little tadpoles broke free and are busy dodging hungry goldfish and koi. Watch out, little guys!




Vivi discovered the joy of putting food on her head. That's always funny. Zachary picniced with Gabby out on the lawn -- always fun, too! We've had many trips to soak at the fountain park... and countless other springtime activities. So many, we are worn out by mid-afternoon. And we love that about spring, too!

Spring Break!

We had lots and lots of fun play dates planned for the week of spring break, starting with a date with Zach's gal pal, Soli. They have been a couple since his days in the preprimary class. Sure, Zach has moved into the older class now, but it doesn't stop this lovesick couple from finding a moment to clasp hands and giggle nearly every day! Even on spring break...

Early in the week, Vivi came down with the flu and an ear infection, so our plans had to be re-evaluated. A quick trip to the doctor after a record household high temp of 104, and she was on Tamiflu, the miracle drug. Within 12 hours, she was back to her normal self. We gave her the requisite rest, and were off to more adventures where she could rest comfortably in the stroller. Like the RODEO!


God bless Texas, it was a phenomenally fun affair. Not too many folks, plenty of healthy livestock to pet, and the rides... Zach is still talking about the helicopter he flew. Because it was just the 3 of us, I stayed with Viv while he braved the rides solo -- you should have seen him clinging to the black carosel horse for dear life. Apparently the carosel spins at warp speeds, but our boy accepted the challenge with a stiff upper lip; til the ride stopped.

There was a birthday...

Alright, so we are not as on our toes as we used to be. Or maybe it's just that our toes are distracted.

Either way, Vivian had a birthday. A HUGE birthday. No, there was not a massive party, nor were there banners flown overhead, but there may as well have been. The way I calculate it, the first year of her life was a series of hurdles, ranging from bothersome to life threatening, and by-gosh, by-golly, our girl has cleared them all and made a name for herself in the process. She's suffered more poking, proding, nudging, pill popping, puking and poo interventions than the rest of her family combined. And yet she is still a charming, loving snuggler with steely resolve and iron will. A mother could not be more proud of any one year old.

As for the stats, she nearly average height and just over average weight. Far above average in the 'darling' category.

Following her first birthday, we scheduled her for a "probe and irrigation." In other words, she went in to have her tear ducts roter rootered out so she will finally be free of the nasty goop eyes. The surgery was outpatient, thank goodness, and seemed to cause her no discomfort. She did, however, shed tears of blood for twenty four hours following the procedure. And given the year that she has had, I think it is entirely fitting. Someday I will get around to detailing it all here on this blog, but I am not quite ready to relive it all. I am just so pleased that we can say it's behind us, and look how well we all faired.

Here's to my girl, Vivian Sophia Diana Weiss. May you find every morning more beautiful than the last.

brainwashing our son

Some people teach their children how to play fireman. Or police man. Or gardener.

Here in the Weiss household, we teach our boy to be an angst filled guitar player or a big firm lawyer. He mastered guitar player last year, so guess what we are working on now. With an ice chest as a keyboard, a plastic cell phone and mouthful of an employer, the only thing he needs now is a blackberry to cuddle up with at night.

New Video

Alrighty, the cupcake video is reposted below. My new favorite.

A surprising choice of lovers...

In preparation for a great love affair, or at least a match that was approved by us, Jesse purchased 3 Miss Mouseys for Vivian. After all, Zach and Deedee were an arranged pairing, so why not play matchmaker for Vivian as well?! Because she had designs on something else, that's why not. Her beloved Bullseye. Her crib is stocked with soft toys and this is the one she choses more often than not.

Here are our children and their partners during a Christmas nap.

Conspiring to Undermine Me.

The dissidents at what will be written in history as the Battle of Cupcake Hill. As if I wouldn't have noticed his dye stained face.



For what it's worth to Zach when he reads this as an older child, I DO let him eat a whole cupcake, but only when I make it using only ingredients with 5 or less syllable names.

Also, you may have noticed that Zach is narrating events as they unfold. He does this with all things. All the time. He is the designated Narrator of Life.

Who wore it better?!?!

Our lucky girl has not suffered an insult to the eye, as our boy had, but merely suffers an insult to vanity as we try to strengthen her eyes with daily eye patching. Fortunately, we procured only the cutest in eye patchery for her.

First words. MINE!

She said, and she meant it.

For the last week or two, Vivi was saying mamama and dadada to us, but of course it's difficult to tell when they make the leap from babbling to communicating. Well, we think she's done it. Last night while I was making dinner, a cranky Vivi wailed imploringly at me, "Mama... mama!"

Daddy came home, and she said, "Dada!"

This morning Jesse got her up and she looked at him and said, "Mama!"

He said, "Do you want Dada?"

She said, "Mama!"

Guess who got to wake mama up this morning. That puts her at about the same age that Zach was when he made his first purposeful utterance.

She has also been waving at everyone and anything that says "Hi!" to her for the last week or so. Then she claps for herself. So cute. She also pulls her hair (and mine, though that's not the point) and tries to put things on her head.

The one thing I can't figure out is when she raises one arm and rests her head on her shoulder. It might be that she is trying to ask me to pick her up? Don't know.

Anyway, point is I am thrilled to claim post as first parent asked for by name with this child. Vivian rules.

hilarity, if not perfection

Like everyone else, we have nothing but failed attempts at Christmas photo sessions. But I think I at least captured the nature of their relationship.

OH NO, I dropped a TOY!

You scream...


No, I scream...


We ALL Scream for ICE CREAM!!!


Wait, you said "ice cream?"


Hey -- I want some too!



How much description is really necessary to convey the tragedy of a dropped toy and the resultant catastrophe.

we're BA-ack!!!

Last time we talked, we had just checked out of the Childrens Hospital and were days away from being homeless, which we were, but only briefly. The new house is so nearly done that it's hardly worth mentioning the projects that remain. As of Friday, the dust clouds cleared out, left with the crew and should only return once or twice this month. Yippee! The kids can nap IN the house again! Vivian is doing spectacularly well since her surgery. We don't have the official blessing yet -- they won't give us that until we are 6 months out from surgery, hopefully. But we know what we see, and she seems much happier, more comfortable and just as opinionated. Zach had a birthday. He is THREE! Whoa. We had a great party planned for Sunay, but unfortunately the cold that we thought was on the way out was actually on it's way in. So, we canceled with all our understanding friends and had a party with a stack of clown cupcakes. Bummer. Poor guy. Good thing he won't recall missing a party.

Vivi, the Champion

We have just embarked upon the most action packed, adventure filled week of our puny lives. Since it's my nature to complicate matters, I've decided to pick up blogging again while we are in the midst of a storm. Here is the synapsis: surgery, pack, move, stay with friends while our new home is being finished and finally move into the new house.

Fate thought it would be funny to pack all this into 10 days. hahahahahaha.

Vivi had her surgery yesterday. Of course that couldn't be simple, either. She chowed for the last time at 5 a.m. in preparation for her 12:30 p.m. surgery. Wouldn't have anything to do with the clear liquids offered her. At 12:30, we were told we were bumped because our surgeon was called in to assist on another case. Still no grub for the baby; we were given another 2 hours til her turn. She gave up complaining about it. 2:30 comes and goes... a trauma victim came in and our surgeon was called in to assist on that, too. Another 2 hours til her turn. We are 'reassured' that we will get in today, that our surgeon rarely sleeps more than 4 hours a night he is such a workaholic. That fact was not especially reassuring, but by this point the magnitude of the other children's suffering really made me feel more comfortable with the comparatively simple procedure we were there for.

At 5 p.m., the anesthesiologist carried her into the O.R. Jesse and I headed to the cafe, where I responded as any sane person would, and crammed every carb on the buffet line down my constricted throat. Actually, Jesse said it wasn't really that much, but when your stomach has a bakers dozen worth of knots, it's as good as a gastric bypass home job. Good thing I had Jesse handy to say funny things, like "Wouldn't it be funny if we saw Dr. George sitting out here eating a doughnut?"

hahahahahahaha

At 6 p.m., the surgeon came out to reassure us that our girl was doing well, and we would get to see her soon. As he was explaining what he had done, he pulled out a small black bag and said, "Well, let me just show you what I am talking about..."

I swear, for a second I thought he was going to show us something he had fished out of my daughter's brain.

Fortunately, it was just some photos he took with his endoscope. Whew!

In the end, all went well. Vivi is presently napping in her crib here at the pimped out new Children's Hospital. We spent the day cruising up and down the halls in a red wagon, we dipped our heels in the fountain, and dined with Dad on some Astroturf in the Healing Courtyard. I am posting some photos post surgery, believe it or not. It seems that a surgeon who can charge 19,000+ an hour of surgical time can perform miracles on the inside AND outside of your body.

Maybe tomorrow we will join Jesse in the packing extravaganza. Today, we are just going to cuddle and be glad. Just glad.

Babys gonna be a star!

You know your photographer took a good photo when they use your image in their marketing materials. Without obtaining the consent of their client first.

I discovered my stardom when I recently opened an email and saw my big ol' bare pregnant belly staring back at me.

Lucky for her, I am just vain enough to feel flattered. Not that I let that on -- after contacting her about the missing waiver, we were comp'ed a session for Vivi. I love a sale, and I love free stuff even more. Especially when it rocks.

I can't link to an album, but I can link to a few of my favorite shots. Click around to see Vivi wearing the christening gown made by her great grandmother 63 years ago.

One

Two

Three

Four

and my personal favorite, Five!

CrazyTrain

Ohmygosh, we have hit our "I'm TWO!" stride. More like crashed into it at full speed. Since he has been out of school, he has turned into a comedian, a soloist, an acrobat, and a terror. Let me just share an example or two. (In case you can't tell, he is singing "America the Beautiful" in the first video, and "Blackberry Blossom" in the second.)

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Beautiful Dreamer

I love this age! Vivi is cuddly as can be, not scooting away from me yet, and always thrilled to see us when she wakes from her nap. A sample of Vivi waking up...

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She has also been sampling solids of late. She shows a bit of enthusiasm for this endeavor as well...

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Oh, how we love Bakersfield!

We spent the last week in Bakersfield. Much to my surprise, traveling as the sole adult with our two children was not nearly as taxing as I thought it would be. Moving sidewalks provide hours of entertainment for Zach, and Viv likes nothing better than to be held for 8 hours. Once we arrived, Nana and Papa provided tons of companionship to them. We also had some successfull playdates with some old friends. Aden has provided relevant details.

By the end of the week, Zach was ready to see his daddy. Really ready.

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Summertime... and the livin' is easy.

Hmmm.... where to begin. What have we been up to? For one, Zach has been learning how to use, and pose for, a camera. Get him within an inch of my camera and he is telling himself to "Smile!" At least he follows his own instructions. He also likes to pose for Jesse's blackberry.

I will post the photos that Zach took soon.



He takes a little more interest in Vivian all the time. Baby steps. In the morning, he likes to go peek in at her through the bars of her crib and tell me when she smiles. He is also trying to figure out all the weird things that babies do -- like suck their fingers. Sometimes it's hard to tell who is copying who.



Viv is just sweet as pie these days. Vivi's her name, cuddling is her game. She sat in her Ergo carrier for 4 hours on Friday, taken out only once to eat while I talked to the house inspector and builder. (We will cover that matter soon, too.) And not a peep from our girl the whole time. Really, not a peep. Everyone noticed that she wasn't demanding to be noticed. Sweet as pie. She does, however, still hate tummy time. Here she is mid-protest:



Finally, there has been an explosion of life (and death) on our deck in the last few weeks. Check out the giant green spider sucking cicada guts, and the hornet's nest, both found under the bench on the deck. The cicada feast just disappeared after 24 hours, and the hornets were shot down, so please feel comfortable bringing your tots over again.