night vision goggles

We practically needed them today, During the day, inside the house. Why? Because it was so flippin' hot outside that I literally had every shutter closed, every curtain drawn, and every light off. All Day.

Poor Ella could hardly see her Play-Doh as she made all sorts of creations at the table. Sadie was in her diaper for a majority of the day - including her first nap. I set foot outside my house exactly ONE time while the sun was still up. Ella and I took out the trash, and when we came back in (after approximately 4 minutes) the child was already sweating.

The thermostat was set at 70 deg all day, but it never got cooler than 80 inside the house. The LOW tonight is 78. Tomorrow it's supposed to feel like 110 deg.

I'm running out of things to do in my house. But it's not worth going somewhere Else air-conditioned because it's just too hot to make the trip. Sadie still faces backwards in her carseat, and the poor thing is sweaty in about 3 seconds because there aren't any vents pointing right at her.

Well, I guess we are going to venture out for an early morning trip to the downtown library. We've just begun to go to Storytime again, and we can't let the heat keep us from Cedric the Dragon or (gasp) the Rainbow Song.

5 years and an 8 month old

Yesterday marked my fifth year as Mrs. Andrew Osenga. It was Almost as hot as the day we got married. Except that day it was 103 degrees. And we had dancing Outside. Many pictures of a sweaty bride and groom were taken, but I don't have any in digital form, so we'll just have to imagine.

Last night we recounted our anniversary dinners...(please note the steak theme)

Year one, J. Alexander's. Still not in the digital world, so we'll still have to picture the young, happy couple.

Year two. I could explain, but it's more fun to not.



Year three. The Melting Pot. The first time we had ever eaten there. We left our 4 month old at home while we ate for Three GLORIOUS hours.



Year four. The Melting Pot again. Still delicious. This time we took our 4 month old.



Year five. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. No picture. Don't know why. We have a new camera, and I must say we looked rather dashing. Especially Andy's Curious George band-aid covering the gaping hole in his neck that was a result of the drain removed (from his neck, that is). Again, let your mind wander.

And TODAY marks baby Sadie's eighth month in the world. Still ridiculously happy. Still hates to sleep.

found.

Tonight. After dinner. In the bottom of Ella's pink cup. Floating in the remains of her milk. Three bite-sized pieces of hot dog. Gross. And what makes it More gross, is that it was actually a "Smart Dog." As in not-meat-but-soy dog. As in, really rubbery and when warm smells not unlike a cat I dissected in college. But young Ella ate it all. Except for those three bites.

thanks, Nana!

my mom made this precious watermelon outfit for Sadie. perfect for summer and showcasing some delicious baby rolls.

whew

I just looked at our calendar. Today's date was blank. There were NO PLANS. For the first night in 11 nights, we did not have anywhere to go. I'm exhausted...

28 years ago

me

round here...

...we stay up very, very, Very, VERY late

* Andy moved his studio into the B room at Sputnik - a great studio owned by a great friend in a great location allowing for separation between home and work which is, well, great.

* I'm in my first bookclub which meets tonight. We're discussing the first half of "Prince of Tides" by Pat Conroy.

* Ella sometimes goes to the bathroom on the big potty.

* Sadie just cut her fourth tooth. She grinds all four of them together constantly. It makes me feel like a crazy person.

* I decided to boycott doing laundry for a week and a half. The end result - 12 (count em) loads of laundry to be done. I'm on load 9. When I was single, I couldn't have gotten 2 loads of laundry dirty in that time if I tried. Life changes, though, and I am no longer paying $287.50/month in rent living on mac and cheese and taking naps every Sunday afternoon.

* Ella wants to live on mac and cheese.

* Sadie's taking 2 naps a day, including Sunday afternoon.

* Sunday night Andy and I did about 5 loads of laundry, and while I stain-sticked and he folded we watched "Little Miss Sunshine." He wrote a great blog about it here.

* Ella likes to play her "guitar" (it's actually a baritone ukulele) like an upright bass and sing "Jesus Loves Me." Loudly.

* Sadie is Almost crawling. Or walking. I'm really not sure which will come first. Keep in mind she's seven months old.

* I have an imaginary maid named Mona.

* Andy and Ella read "Leonardo the Terrible Monster" almost every night. They read "Curious George Goes to the Zoo" every night.

* I read "Curious George Flies a Kite" with Ella almost every day before naptime.

* Ella watches an episode of "Curious George" the cartoon every day.

* Sadie belly laughs if you play peek-a-boo with her. And is the happiest baby alive. And has two dimples that show when she smiles. Which is all day.

* My children seem to rarely wear shirts.

switcheroo

This morning Ella brought over her see-through, feather-lined suitcase with wheels. I looked in and there were the entire contents of my purse packed in, zipped up, and ready to go. As we were about to leave for church, I picked up my purse to put back in my belongings. I retrieved a box of crayons, a flashlight and 2 pennies. Actually, I kept the pennies.

a glimpse.

It's raining outside. Storming, actually. I'm sitting on our new (to us) couch looking out our two front windows and glass door at the torrential downpour.

Ella is napping.

Sadie is rolling around on a blanket on the floor trying so very desperately to crawl, and simultaneously amusing herself (and me) with all sorts of creative mouth noises.

Andy is researching studio designs.

The lights are sporadically flickering - signaling the next giant thunder blast.

But here we are, cozy inside, with my new Lemon Citrus Beanpod Candle
filling our home with that clean, fresh smell. Our house is, amazingly, halfway clean itself, but for the days that it's not, this candle at least gives the illusion of a recent scrubbing. Good enough for me.

diaper dandies

because they're cute...

i have thoughts of what to write about. really, i do. i'm just too dang tired. so here are exactly two pictures to tide you over...

high hopes

Already they seem like best friends. No one can make them laugh like the other. My mother's heart swells every time I see them enjoying one another. And it's only been 5 months! Five months out of their whole lives.

Mama had a little lamb

It's late, and I really should be sleeping. But tonight, for some reason, I'm feeling the pull of the blog. I miss it. I actually miss blogging. Well, the result of blogging which is (perhaps) a comment or two and (always) documentation of what's actually been happening during these hazy days.

I feel like maybe, just maybe, I might be emerging from the fog that is the first few months. After a very long five months, Sadie has SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT...three nights in a row! For those of you who have wonder children that started much earlier, I don't want to hear a word. Not one, single word. For I am happy and hopeful and ready to...sleep.

But as sleepless as it may have been around here, never have I met a happier babe. The child lives to smile. And laugh. And smile and laugh some more. And then eat her toes for a bit. And then eat whatever else is in reach (usually her Mama's hair). And she makes an ADORABLE lamb...

cupcakes

Ella "made" cupcakes for the first time on Saturday. What follows is a detailed account of the sugary adventure.

intently mixing...


not quite understanding that sprinkles go on Later...


chocolate molester-staches make me happy...


let's throw in vanilla for good measure...


you haven't Truly enjoyed a cupcake unless it's been up your nose...


the lining is no match for an eager Ella...


Sadie biding her time with Adrienne until it's her turn to bake...


4 (ish) cupcakes later...


waiting for the (absolutely necessary) bath...

family of four

It's official - we're a family. Yes, "family" is quite the relative (heh heh) term these days - but it wasn't until Miss Sadie arrived that I thought, "THIS is what having a family feels like."

In trying to find the perfect words to describe these past couple of months I'm left spluttering and stuttering. All the good things meshed with all the crazy things - and if you've gotten half a glance at me since December 4, 2006, I'm pretty sure you got hit by the bags under my eyes that, I fear, might be a permanent fixture.

I was not prepared for the upheaval that is two kids under 2. Yeah, yeah - I heard it was Hard, Sleepless, Insane - but those were just terms to me. Words that don't truly encompass the overwhelming thing that is Parenting. Heck, not even parenting, just keeping two tiny humans Alive.

I never quite knew there were so many areas in my life in which I could feel Far less than adequate (example: this blog). And I don't even have a job outside the home! I'm still fighting the fact that it's Impossible to give 100% of my attention to both of my children at the same time. That my home can Not realistically be completely clean and organized. That there are events I just can't make because my Tiny Twin needs to nurse. That playdates are on pause until the winter crud passes and we can give my infant a chance to kick the cold she's had since her second week of life. That my husband and I must work harder than we thought possible at having a conversation that isn't somehow related to (or affected by) children. That I won't get more than a couple hours of sleep in a row for a Very long time.

I say all this not to complain. Oh, no. I am merely setting the stage for all further entries that will be tainted by that ever-ellusive maiden of the night.

All these truths brought about by one of the sweetest, cuddliest, Craziest, most passionate infants with the cutest set of dimples to come my way (excuse me while I pause to change both of our clothes, as she has just "Poopied" - to quote my older child - all over my lap...smiling and cooing the entire time).

I am crazy in love with this new, tiny babe. Here's a quick glimpse...Stories and antecdotes to follow.

my Fall checklist

* The Normals hooded sweatshirt (does not discriminate between the pregnant/non-pregnant)

* these Birks

* Hazelnut Cream candle

* cans of Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin (for the oft-mentioned Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Muffins)

* "Welcome Autumn" sign on the front door

* pumpkins on the front porch - this year gathered from Gentry Farm

* Ella sleeping on the warmest and softest crib sheet in the land (one of the best shower gifts of all time)

* at least one viewing of "Little Women"

* fresh acorn dents in the tops of our cars

* jackets

* hats

* rosy cheeks

two weeks

I've been meaning to document the goings-on of the past two weeks - really, I have. But something always happens, and...you know how it is.

But I feel like a lot has happened in Ella's world. She's acquired two new and Very favorite things. Alas, I don't have pictures to prove her absolute bliss with each one, but hopefully soon they'll be up here. The first is her swing. The child Loves to swing, and it's been a crying shame that she hasn't had one until now. But now it's here, and hanging from our big tree in the front yard, where she has a front row seat to all that is happening in the neighborhood.

She waves at cars, she points to planes, she Especially loves it when a city or school bus passes down the cross street two houses away. But soon she gets a starry look in her eyes, hunkers down in the swing, and experiences Tranquility. I have never seen her so calm and serene and utterly content.

We swing for literally thirty minutes at a time, and just when I think she's about to fall asleep, I take her out and she cries and begs for more. It's amazing.

Her other new and favorite thing is her baby stroller. A gift from Andy's parents, it's the perfect size for her 19-month-old self, and she loves loves Loves to push it around the house and around the neighborhood. Her doll and Care Bear get the most rides, but my child does not discriminate. I'll look over to see her sippy cup going for a spin, or some Post-It notes out for a tour of the kitchen. On our outside walks she'll put a leaf in with her baby doll - but only one leaf at a time. She makes sure to remove the existing leaf so the next one can have the full stroller experience.

One of the things Ella loves most about her new things is the whole buckling process. Pretty much anything with straps and a buckle she's all over. This includes her wagon, high chair, booster seat, swing, toy ride, stroller...you name it. This afternoon the rain kept us inside, so Ella didn't get her fill of "moving things with buckles." Soon enough she had crawled up into one of her strollers, attempted to strap herself in, and make it Very clear to me that she wanted to go.

So, the next twenty minutes we strolled around and around the house. It reminds me of "Pride and Prejudice" or other Jane Austen moments when the ladies would "take a turn" about the house. I don't think I found it as delightful and refreshing as the ladies of yore, but I know Ella did. Ah, my little gentlewoman.

Ella also has three new words that she Loves to use. My newfound theory is that she could probably say whatever word she wanted, it's just the words that she deems important for her daily life she latches onto. Currently those words are "Bus" "Cheese" and "Shoes." She's obsessed with all three concepts - although we can't really distinguish between a bus and a big truck. Come to think of it, a city bus and and semi look pretty similar.

My pregnant brain is officially reaching the fuzzy point, so I'm going to go flip through my latest issue of "Real Simple" and garner all sorts of clever holiday ideas that I'm sure I won't use.

her favorite things

Whatever she does, it is executed with deliberation and passion. Except for when she puts a paper bag on her head and walks with abandon. Then she laughs hysterically as we scurry to clear a path for her. She is now a devoted little mommy to both her baby doll and Care Bear. It started with putting one or both of them in any bag/basket/stroller/container she could find and toting them around...



She has now begun putting them down for naps. Lots of naps. And apparently she follows the Judson Parent's Day Out procedure. They told us that they lay all the kids down on mats and pat their backs until they fall asleep. Sure enough, when she got home from her class Tuesday, she pulled out a little mat that lines her baby's cradle, put it on the floor, laid her baby facedown on it and gently patted her back.

This morning she came into my room (Andy plays with Ella and lets me sleep in whenever possible) and we were talking a little bit. She was standing down on the floor looking up at me, and I was as close to on my stomach as a 7-month pregnant girl can get. She reached up her sweet, little hand and patted My back for a couple of seconds. It was one of the sweetest, most fleeting moments I hope I always remember.

Ella loves to draw. And write. While the end result is pretty much identical, there is definitely a distinction in her mind. We keep large sheets of drawing paper and a box of crayons downstairs that she enjoys. She also has a MagnaDoodle that she employs when she's feeling artsy...



But she often seems to be in Business Mode, and for this she needs to have some sort of notebook and pen (she currently uses her new butterfly notebook and pink pen). Receipts and coupons work as well. When we were at my parent's house she preferred my mom's Daytimer...



Bouncy balls are part of her daytime fun. Again, the large bags come out, and she puts the balls in and out for a while, then carries any number of them around the house. She also likes to say "ball" a lot. At anything that is a filled-in circle really. Kix, polka dots, round potatoes - she's on the constant watch. She loves to throw, roll and chase after them as well.

She is always ready for a wagon ride. She loves to try to buckle herself in (good to know she's into safety) and just sits back and enjoys the outdoors (and barking at all the neighborhood dogs). Note her jauntily-perched hat...



Actually, she enjoys riding in lots of things - including laundry baskets. A few months back, her Aunt Sarah filled up a basket with blankets and animals, stuck Ella in, and laps were made around the house. Now, Ella will throw clothes Out of laundry baskets, climb in, and expect a ride. Ha. Not from this rotund-bellied mother. I leave that to the more agile community...



Her daddy. Ella has a newfound love and attachment to Andy. It is so very sweet. She says "Da-da" countless times in a row. Knowing he works downstairs, she often goes over to the door leading to the basement, knocks and calls out his name. When she sees him after a period of time apart, even if it's been a couple of hours, she immediately begins to recount her time spent without him. At least that's the way it seems. She wants to share with him everything she possibly can.

They also have a ritual called "noses." It's basically Eskimo kissing. It's very yummy.

These are a few months old, but oh-so-cute...





While Ella pretty much loves everything, these are the main attractions in her little one-and-a-half year old world. I'm interested to see what crops up next.

home again

No matter how great of a trip was had, it's always good to come home. It's kind of strange knowing that I won't be leaving again until the baby's born. My cut-off date for flying is next week, long drives have become pretty brutal, so here I stay.

I am in no way lacking for things to do. No no. I am part of a women's group that is currently going through a book about getting your home organized, and I am feeling all-at-once intimidated and inspired. You see, I am one of Those people who have high hopes and good intentions for being organized, but something gets lost in translation and I end up frustrated and missing weddings because I misplaced the invitation.

I dare not attempt to make gradiose statements such as "This all changes today" or "I will never be disorganized again" or "I am the all-around coolest girl in town." I realize it takes a lot more than a week, or even a month or two, of being really motivated. It's a process of figuring out what works for us.

So today I made the all-important pilgrimage to Target. Armed with my new life-saving manual I scoured the organizational aisles, and am feeling pretty darn good about things. Oh, and really daunted. But that's ok. My little gem says to work on one room for 15 minutes a day, then forget it til the next. Anybody can do that, right?

My first room to work on will be the new baby's nursery. Because, well, it's nowhere near ready. It's still housing all of our games and CDs and tote bags (of which there are a lot because I have a slight addiction to large carry-alls) and a chest of drawers brimming with everything under the sun except for clothes...yes, there is a lot to be done. But it will get done. And painted. And we will buy crib number two. And then we will have a baby. In that order, preferably.

Speaking of, I'm off to my 30 week check-up (out of 40 for anyone who's trying to calculate). Then again, Ella arrived at week 38...