Happy 2nd Birthday, Meghan!

Meghan is one very special little girl. She has endured more medical tests and blood draws than most yet leaves every appointment by giving the doctors hugs and thank you's. Everywhere she goes, she attracts attention. Meghan is cute as a button, full of spunk, and never stops talking! Imagine encountering an 18 pound child that looks like a 9 month old, walks like a 3 year old, and talks like a 5 year old.


Funny Meghan
Meghan loves telling knock-knock jokes. Her favorite: Knock, knock; Who's there; lettuce; lettuce who; lettuce in!

She also seems to have impeccable delivery, which I absolutely cannot describe in words. Sometimes it's not what she says, but how she says it that makes us chuckle.

The other morning, Meghan took my watch off of the nightstand, and we had the following conversation:
Meghan: It's a tiny clock!
Me: Meghan, it's called a watch.
Meghan: Okay, I'll watch it! (followed by her staring intently at the watch for quite some time)

Last weekend at mass, the ushers passed by with the collection baskets, but they did not put one in front of Meghan.  So Meghan yelled, "Hey!  I need money!"


Talented Meghan

This child is destined to be an entertainer. While Camille has her weekly dance lesson, Meghan waits outside the room and watches through an observation window. She loves to mimic the dance steps. One of the other little dancer's grandmothers saw this and brought Meghan a teeny pair of tap shoes. Meghan loves to tap!

Meghan has a definite affinity for music. Her seldom-fussy moments are easily cured by a song. If she won't eat her dinner, we just make up a song about it, and she eats! I'm certain her potty training is going so well because we made up a song for that, too. 
Every night Meghan insists on singing "Twinkle Little Star" before going to bed. She has a song for everything. I have never met another 2 year old that knows dozens of songs, sings in key, and throws in claps or snaps in time to the music.


Affectionate Meghan

Meghan is a snuggler. She already has a knack for cheering up anyone's day. Her life revolves around her grandparents and great-grandparents. She has a very special bond with her "Granny Loney", who we lived with for several months when we moved to Minnesota. Meghan loves to give and receive hugs.

Last Saturday we took a little day trip to my cousin's house for her son's first communion. On the trip home, we were asking the kids what they enjoyed doing/did all day. Camille said, "play with my cousins". When we asked Meghan what she did all day she accurately said, "hug".  She had spent the entire day wandering from lap to lap snuggling with whoever she could find.

Meghan adores Camille and frequently puts her arm around her big sister and says, "I love you, best buddy!"

Meghan is also very complimentary. She is always telling us, "ooh Daddy I like your nose"; "Mommy I like your ears"; "Camille I like your shirt". (You get the gist.)


Meghan is a ray of sunshine in our home. We still do not know exactly why she is so tiny, but we are learning to accept, with each normal test result, that maybe God just made her that way.

13 months old
Opening some belated birthday gifts in the "Bern cave"

14 months old
Loving Granny's backyard

15 months old
Ponytails at last!

16 months old
Searching for treasures

17 months old
Playing with the penguins in Fargo

18 months old
Reading Granny's magazine

18 months old
Smurfin' with her "Best Buddy" for Halloween

19 months old
Celebrating Granny Ward's 93rd birthday with some cake

20 months old
"Look at me!  Look at me!"

21 months old
Using my step stool so I can play like the big kids

22 months old
Enjoying the new house

22 months old

22 months old
Pretty dress

23 months old
Swimming at my cousin's birthday party in Casselton, ND

2 years old!

Happy Birthday, Peanut!

Seven Quick Takes Friday- It’s all about me!

And why shouldn't it be?

-1-

I'm trying to type this blog entry in the Microsoft Word template. We'll see if this will work!

-2-

The girls and I headed to Grand Avenue yesterday morning for some shopping and fun. Juut had a 20% off sale on Aveda products, which I love and prefer for my hair. However, now that I don't work, I don't feel right spending the money on my hair. A sale was just what I needed! After our shopping, we stopped at Bread & Chocolate for cookies and milk (at 9AM!). We had a good time. Afterwards, Camille asked me what we would eat for dessert. Silly girl!

-3-

I am taking a much-needed break from writing my thesis. I hope to be done by April 30^th. Woohoo! The kids are at Ken's parent's house today. I have the greatest in-laws on Earth. They take such good care of the kids and have been watching them 3 days a week while I stay home and write. I cannot wait until this Master's degree is over. So many plans are waiting for "the day I'm done".

-4-

Even though this winter was very mild, I still struggled with the lack of sunshine. I felt more miserable than I've been in 6 years. I loooved that Florida sun! This year was not conducive to a vacation in the South, but next year we will definitely be finding our way to our beach in the darker months.

-5-

I at last found a decent physician here. White Bear Lake (>1/2 hour from our house, but totally worth it) has an awesome pro-life family clinic. At least two of the physicians there attend our church and all of the physicians are certified specialists in various forms of NFP. How lucky am I?

-6-

I discussed my struggle with the winter with my new physician. She checked my Vitamin D levels. I am actually happy to report that I received a call today from the office saying I am insufficient in vitamin D. No one has ever thought to check my vitamin D even though it is very common with seasonal depression. I am hopeful that an enormous supplement will help me feel more energetic in the winter months. I hate to think about how deficient I would be if I didn't already take a vitamin D supplement and drink a ton of milk.

-7-

We are struggling here a bit trying to figure out how to balance responsibilities and expectations now that I stay at home with the kids. How do people keep their homes tidy when people actually live in them all day? Keeping the house clean was easy when I worked because we were never home. We just ate and slept there! This morning I made little schedules for everyone in the house to help organize and solidify our duties. Thankfully Camille is an excellent helper. Now I just need to get Meghan to help and between the three of us we'll have each floor of the house covered. (Totally joking about this!)

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... I see my beautiful new backyard with snow that is melting.  Hooray for a mild winter!!!

I am thinking...about Lent.

I am thankful...for my two sweet girls.

From the learning rooms...Camille is working on following multi-step directions.  She is very distracted since the move.  Meghan is working on her colors.

In the kitchen...chicken is defrosting for pad thai.  Yum, yum!

I am wearing...my painting clothes.  I am actually looking forward to putting the paint brushes away soon.  I love to paint, but two-thirds of a house at once is a bit much.

I am creating...a beautiful and cozy home.  This week's project is finishing the bathroom.  I am putting some extra touches of gold paint on the vanity doors.

I am going... to grant myself a spa week...yes, a whole week, very soon.  I have a feeling the bits of white in my hair are not paint splatters.

I am wondering... how long the trip to JCPenney will take me this week.  I live five minutes away from the nation's largest mall, but the nearest JCPenney is pretty far away.  I have been planning this trip for over six months.  So ridiculous!

I am reading...a book about the case for the canonization of JPII. I would tell you the title, but that would mean I would have to get off of the couch.  Yes, this is the same book I was reading 6 months ago and it really is a fabulous book.  I love to read, but I have not carved out time in my day for it yet.

I am hoping... hmmmm...right now I am taking life one moment at a time.

I am looking forward to...my parents visit this weekend.  The best part about moving to Minnesota is that we get to see our families way more often.  This has really made a difference in our life.  The girls adore seeing their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins frequently.

I am hearing... nothing. Camille is at school, and Meghan is taking another nap.  She is really tired lately.  I am fearful that her exhaustion is caused by her poor weight gain.

Around the house... everything is coming together quite nicely.  I am looking forward to posting some before and after pictures soon.  The transformation is amazing!

I am pondering... keeping Camille in preschool for another year.  She is the youngest in her class and will be barely 5 if she starts kindergarten in the fall.  I can see a difference between her and the older children in her class.

One of my favorite things... Minnesota Public Radio!  Gainesville discontinued their classical music station while we were living there.  I am soooo happy to have my classical music in the car again!

A few plans for the rest of the week... I will be finishing the upstairs bathroom.  Ken has agreed to help me with the upstairs hallway, which will hopefully complete our painting.

A picture for sharing... The St. Paul Winter Carnival is a local tradition that is over 100 years old.  On Saturday we went to an event where all of the royalty and baddies (aka Vulcans) were introduced.  Camille and Meghan enjoyed having their picture taken with some of the 100 princesses (one from every suburb) that were present. 

Sorry, blogger is malfunctioning.  A picture is yet to come!

Taking care of ourselves

When I lived in Gainesville, I knew of (but never met) a family with five young children.  About two years ago, the father was diagnosed with cancer and died within the year.  Sadly, the mother of these children was unable to cope with the despair.  Below is a link to a blog post one of her friends wrote.  Read it.  She really gives us all something to think about.
http://www.ourlocallife.com/what_we_need_is_here/2011/10/takecare.html

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... the leaves are changing colors.  I am enjoying my first fall in 6 years!

I am thinking...about the letter I received from Meghan's endocrinologist today.  The blood work taken last week indicates that Meghan has low insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).  These results mean that she likely has a type of growth hormone deficiency.  I'm not sure what the next step in her treatment will be.

I am thankful...for the fabulous swim I had this afternoon. My goal is to swim 100 miles in one year.

From the learning rooms...Camille is going to preschool four afternoons a week.  She comes home singing many new songs and talking about the friends she makes each day.  Unfortunately, the evenings are a very difficult time for her since she does not get an afternoon nap.  Meghan is saying her alphabet up to J without help now.

In the kitchen...is a bowl full of fresh tomatoes.  I have never enjoyed a fresh tomato so much in my life!  Everyone here grows excellent tomatoes, and they have been sharing them with us.  I cannot wait until next summer when we have a garden of our own.

I am wearing...flannel PJ's.  Brrr!

I am creating...too many things.  I am hoping to make the girls' Halloween costumes and pea coats out of an old wool coat of my Grandmother's.  I also have to finish replacing the velcro on Meghan's diaper covers.  I would probably get more done if I took the sewing machine out of the storage room.

I am going...a bit crazy.  Some days I just really miss the life we used to have.

I am wondering...when the Simple Woman's Daybook got all of these categories.  I don't remember answering so many questions!

I am reading...a book about the case for the canonization of JPII.  I would tell you the title, but that would mean I would have to get off of the couch.

I am hoping...we will be able to find a house in December that suits our needs and that we can afford. 

I am looking forward to...the end of soccer season.  We haven't seen much of Ken in the last two months.  I miss our Friday night movies.  Meghan asks for him all day long.  Camille just keeps making plans of things she'd like to do with him when he gets home.

I am hearing...nothing.  Everyone else is in bed.  I should be in bed too, but I love these peaceful nights.

Around the house...we have a mess.  I cannot wait until we live in a space more than 500 sq ft. 

I am pondering...the best way to deal with Camille's poor behavior.  I know she is tired, but we just cannot go on like this for the entire school year.  Time outs don't work, spanking doesn't work, taking away toys doesn't work.

One of my favorite things...when Meghan and I pick Camille up from preschool, Meghan and Camille give each other a long embrace as though they haven't seen each other in months.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Meghan has a kidney ultrasound and nephrology appointment tomorrow.  I have to go to the YMCA every day this week so I can squeeze 12 visits into the month of September so we get our $20 insurance reimbursement.  My parents are visiting this weekend.  Woohoo!

A picture for sharing...Camille loves her dance class!  Dancing is truly the bright spot in her week.

Our Little Coconut Talks!

Granny was trying on winter jackets, so Meg tried on hers!

ABC

Meghan has endured a lot of medical tests, procedures, and doctor visits this summer, but she is still her cheerful self.  Her verbal skills are coming along nicely.  About two months ago I started teaching her the alphabet by having her repeat each letter after me.  She now skips the repetition and just says the next letter in line, followed by a giggle.  Meghan speaks very clearly and lets us know what she wants, when she wants it.  She knows a lot of words, but her favorites are eat, done, Granny, Papa, please, no, yes, bubbles, and outside.  Every so often, Meghan will put three words together and form a sentence.

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do

Meghan is also very musical.  She loves to sing Elmo's song.  She sings "La la la, Elmo" all day long as she plays.  At mass she sings "La la la" whenever the music begins.  She has also taken to singing Alleluia during mass and at home as well.  Given her success with the alphabet, I decided to teach her songs in solfege.  Solfege is the "do re mi" system of assigning syllables to notes of a scale.  I am amazed how quickly she learned this and at her ability to sing on-key.  Perhaps we have a musical prodigy?  (Or maybe just a crazy mommy!)

The only area Meghan struggles in is growth.  Despite her two pound gain in the spring, she is not catching up or keeping up with a normal toddler's growth.  She weighs about 16 pounds right now.  Her height and head circumference have also "fallen off" several curves this summer along with her weight.  So far all tests have come back normal.  The GI doctor did every test she knew, including scoping her entire digestive tract from top to bottom, and everything looks completely normal.  To all those that suggested celiac disease, she definitely does not have that, but thanks for your concern.  We have one (hopefully) last kidney ultrasound and visit to a nephrologist at the end of September to ensure her kidneys are still growing and functioning appropriately.  This past week we visited a pediatric endocrinologist, which was new for us.  Meghan had more blood taken to test for thyroid dysfunction (for the 3rd time) and growth factor.  Once those test results are back, we get to "wait and see" for four months. If she grows or she doesn't grow, more growth hormone testing will likely be in her future.

We keep trying to tell ourselves that Meghan is just a very petite child like a few of our ancestors, but then reality hits us when she plays with other children her age or younger and they all look like giants!  Normal children follow a growth curve.  Even Meghan's petite sister weighed 19 pounds at one year of age.

Please continue to pray for Meghan's growth.  I know these prayers are working.Everytime I ask for prayers, she gains a few more ounces and inches!

Meghan reads the Ireland magazine.

Good-bye Summer!

The Lamb family had a great summer!

We played in the back yard

We danced

We had fun at the grocery store

We had picnics at the park

 We played baseball

We played at the park

 

 We did manual labor at Grandma and Grandpa's house

We took swimming lessons

 And watched swimming lessons

We had fun at the lake...

Snorkeling

Calling minnows

Relaxing

Hula-ing

Sleeping in the tent with cousins

...and Uncle Jason

 We celebrated Camille's birthday with a pirate party...

Pirate princess pinata

Treasure maps

Awesome and delicious pirate cake Aunt Bernadette made

We played

We put on our tutu's...



...and went to the Mall of America for Dora, ballet, and Toddler Tuesdays.



We stood in a long line for over an hour...

...Dora left just as we were to the front of the line to meet her.  :-(

We had fun in Fargo...

Puppet theatre my sister-in-law and I made.

The girls made puppets of themselves.  Camille on the left, Meghan on the right.

Behind-the-scenes show



I made a lion.

 We enjoyed the mosquito-free lake again in August...

We made great memories with our cousins.

We watched a movie on the big screen by the lake.

Three of the five cutest girls on Earth.

Camille took to the waterskis

  

We said good-bye on Summer Hill

We stuffed ourselves with Plum Dumplings

We relaxed in the back yard in Fargo

We went to the Minnesota State Fair...

...and wore silly hats

...and watched the Dairy princesses being carved in butter.

...and we wore more silly hats

...we ate everything "on a stick", including Summit Sampler on a stick

Good bye summer, hello Fall!