Melanie-isms

I always thought it was an urban legend that parents could understand their kids even when the rest of the world could not. However, Mel does like to talk, and we can't always understand what she's saying - despite her best efforts to get her message across. Here are some of her translations of everyday language. There are, of course, other words she says perfectly clearly - these are just the highlights of the Melanieisms.

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Mr. Potato Head = Tooloo

Oscar the Grouch = Yoyo

Grover = Roro

Cookie Monster = (miming eating cookies and making the eating noise)

Ernie = the giggle he does

Fish = sheshe (accompanied by a fishy face)

Keys = pees

Medicine = Yum-yum

Bottle/Water = Baba/Wawa

Elbow = Elmo

Santa Claus = Hoho

Names

Grandpa Worzala = Pawpaw

Grandma Worzala = Mawmaw

Grandpa Doan = Poppy

Grandma Doan = Gigi

Julie = OOlie

Charlie = Chacha

Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails

...That's what little boys are made of! We'll find out soon enough, when our SON is born! We had our ultrasound on Wednesday, December 23. While I never had an inclination to find out what we were having when pregnant with Melanie, this time around, I couldn't WAIT. I just feel like there's a lot more to do and preparations I can make this time - juggling two little ones after Baby W2's arrival will be enough, without sorting through clothes & such :) We learned, at the ultrasound, that everything looks great! We were impressed by how much time the tech spent with us going through all of the markers, measurements, etc. The baby weighs a little over a pound right now, and has all of his parts! What a great Christmas present!

December Update

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted, and I want to get some thoughts down since this is my outlet instead of journaling or scrapbooking....

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Mel has had an active couple of weeks, despite being on antibiotics since before Thanksgiving. First, we were treating a cold - coughing, etc - the stuff I was dealing with too, and neither of us could shake it; additionlly, we treated another round of pink eye. Finally, by Thanksgiving, we were both back to "normal" (whatever that means). Then, she started the coughing again, and her eyes were goopy again! Jeff took her to the doc on Tuesday 12/8, and she was diagnosed with her first-ever ear infection. I've gotta say, having only one ear infection in 21 months - not so shabby. Many of her friends already have tubes! After nine days of this ear infection antibiotic, I wasn't satisfied with the cough, runny eyes & runny nose that continued, so I took her back on 12/17. The ear infection had cleared up, but the doc changed her antibiotic to try to kick the cough, which is probably a sinus infection. She seems to be doing better already, on day two of the antibiotic.

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We have kept busy with our twice-weekly trips to Gymboree (the play center, not the store!), trips to the library to see the "choo choo" and play in their play room, and playing with the girls in our neighborhood. We also went to visit Santa last Sunday. Let's just say we did not get photos taken with Santa. Melanie is VERY interested in looking at photos of Santa, seeing him on TV, and seeing him from a distance - She loves to say "HO, HO, HO!!" - but, when it comes to the real thing - or even a statue of the real thing - she, ah, tends to shy away.

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Mel is continuing with her interest in the potty. She talks about it a lot, and plays on her little stool. When it comes time to do the business, she prefers the "big" potty, and she is going in it a couple of times a week. I'm not pushing this, and I just follow her lead right now. I'm sure we'll go through phases with this. She LOVES brushing her teeth. She could seriously spend the day at the sink, washing her hands, playing in the water, and "brushing" her teeth. She cries when she can't do it, and we tend to keep our bedroom door shut to try to keep it out of her mind. She is in a phase where, if you're not doing what she wants you to, she'll take you by the hand and lead you to the place she "needs" you to be. Her daycare teachers continue to report that she is a very good "helper" in the room. Miss Ana mentioned that Melanie would like to be the lead teacher. She checks all the other kids' diapers, makes sure they go down when it's nap time, is always aware of where & what everyone is doing, etc. I said that just sounds like a bossy busybody, but they said she'll make a great big sister!

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Mel will show just about anyone where Mommy's baby is. She pulled up my shirt at the pediatrician when I asked her to show him where the baby was; she also attempted to show a first-time-expectant father at a clothing store this weekend. I hope she's this proud of him/her upon arrival! Her latest trick is also saying "OH, Baby!" - which is the saying on my most comfortable (and most-worn) maternity shirt. I try to get her to say it frequently, since it's so stinkin' cute.

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As for the pregnancy itself, it's progressing smoothly! I've been able to feel the baby move for a couple of weeks now, and on December 12, Jeff could feel it! That is almost to the day (one day short) of where I was in my first pregnancy when we could feel Melanie move; so things are looking/feeling great!

Baby W2 update

I am just as thrilled with this pregnancy, of course, as I was with the first. However - I have not had the opportunity to dwell on every single aspect of this baby's development, etc - I actually don't even feel pregnant (other than the expanding waistline!) As of today, I am 18 weeks, 1 day pregnant - according to the check-out person at the OB office! How sad is that, I had to ask her!
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Today, we had a "standard" OB visit, it was the first time Jeff had been able to hear the heartbeat! Given the amount of time I had to wait at my last OB, he wasn't able to make previous appointments. However, with my new & improved OB, Dr. Dupler, everything is going great. The heartrate today was 158, and I am up 10 pounds overall. My next appointment, on December 23, is the one where we'll learn if Melanie will have a little brother or a little sister!
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Mel is pretty much unaware of her world getting ready to change. When asked where Mommy's baby is (if she's in the mood to entertain), she will come over and lift my shirt and point to my belly. She will kiss - or spit on - the belly for effect. She will, also, point to Gigi's or Daddy's belly and say "baby" - so I know that she's not completely aware of what is going on.
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As of Wednesday overnight into Thursday, I'm back feeling 100% after my bronchial infection - no more coughing, etc. Yippee!
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Log your guess as to what BabyW2 will be - http://expectnet.com/index.php?t=0 - enter "Worzala2" in the game name.

Christmas Tree

We skipped the Christmas tree last year (2008) since Melanie was just learning to walk, and I wanted to spare everyone some headaches. We are big fans of the real tree, so on Saturday we set out to pick Melanie's 'first tree.' She likes to say the word "TREE." We went to a tree farm by us, where they had real reindeer and everything - but then we ended up buying from the Boy Scouts at Lion's Park! Something about picking out a tree without a coat on seemed odd - and Melanie got to play at the park for quite a while, it was so nice outside!

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So far Mel has stayed out of the tree, so we're keeping our fingers crossed! Once the tree was up, Molly also came over to play, and Jenny stopped by to visit. Melanie said "Julie" for the first time! It was a fun day seeing everyone and getting things done! Sunday was a truly lazy day, with long naps & relaxation!

Melanie's First Haircut

When we got back to town on Friday, we decided it was time for Melanie's first haircut. My big thing about her hair is that I would like for her bangs to grow out. We took her to Clubhouse Cuts for Kids, right by our house - she loved it! I think it helped that we were the only customers; plus she had a "wee" to play on (a slide), a trainset, and she got to sit in a car and watch Elmo during the event. She did a GREAT job; I'm not so sure about the cut itself, but I just keep telling myself it will grow out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving celebration in Yorkville with ALL of the Worzalas plus the Doan parents! Uncle Rick & Aunt Sandy were great hosts; we drove up on Thursday morning, and back on Friday. The kids - Melanie, Charlie, and Sammie - had a great time playing together, and it was great to get caught up with everyone. Melanie even slept relatively well in unfamiliar surroundings - and did great on both of the car rides!

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While we were there, the dog JJ was NOT a hit with Mel! She is a rambunctious yellow lab, and every time she entered the room, Mel would tremble from head to toe. As we left on Friday, Mel was waving and saying "Bye, Bye JJ!" rather excitedly. Later that night, while sleeping on Daddy's lap, she removed her thumb from her mouth long enough to say "JJ, night-night" before going back to sleep.

Gymboree!

We decided to take a hiatus from gymnastics until Melanie is a bit older. Instead, we tried Gymboree - which is a great 45-minute weekly class. In addition to the class, we have the opportunity to participate in "open gym" each week, where she just gets to run around and play on all of the equipment. So far she has attended two open gyms and one class, and she seems to really like it. Her favorite part is getting a stamp on her hand at the end of each session - but she does enjoy the activities as well!

Week in Review

Melanie, despite the hacking cough, had a great week/weekend. Wednesday night she had her friends Aya, Grace, and Ellie over to play. She was a little hesitant about Aya & Grace when they walked in, but when Ellie arrived, she got a huge smile, and ran over to hug Ellie. Incidentally, Aya & Grace are in the same daycare class, and Mel & Ellie are in the same - so it makes sense she knows Ellie better, despite playing with the other two a few times a month :)

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Friday after going to the doctor, she got to play all afternoon with Gigi. Saturday after a marathon nap, Mel and I went shopping, and ended up at Castleton, where we ran into Tim, Alli, and Bella, who directed us to Suzi & Wyatt. After wrapping up shopping, we headed to Monkey Joe's, where Wyatt showed Mel all the ropes (literally), and she LOVED playing on all of the bouncy areas. There are two areas at M.J's that are for kids two and under. Guess which 20-month-old wanted NOTHING to do with those areas? That's right. I don't think there was an area in the place that she did not canvass; many times with me carrying her up the ladders (using ropes as balance), sliding down the slides. She had a great time, and fell asleep on the short car ride home. After a bath, she snuggled up with Uncle Randy (above) and had a quick bedtime.

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Sunday morning, Mel and I headed to the indoor pool at the Monon Center. She was VERY excited to blow bubbles; and she practiced her kicking and loved running around fearless in the shallow end. She was asleep before the car was out of the parking lot, I believe. Later Sunday, she enjoyed the afternoon & dinner with Gigi & Popppy.

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This week, since Mel missed Monday's daycare, we decided to keep her home the rest of the week to save a week's worth of daycare costs. So she's in for a treat the next couple of days with Gigi, who is even staying the night Tuesday night! That, leading into the Thanksgiving trip to Yorkville to see ALL the grandparents AND Charlie & Sammie, Uncle Rick, Aunt Sandy, Becky, Uncle Randy, and Aunt Cory, it's bound to be a great week!

Medical woes, continued

After two weeks of nonstop coughing, both Melanie and I went to the doctor on Friday (11/20). She got released with a clean bill of health, but a "backup" antibiotic prescription to get filled on Monday if she wasn't feeling better. I got diagnosed with a bronchial infection and a prescription for a Z-Pack. Additionally, I'm taking Claritin for some of the effects of my congestion. Fun times.

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Sunday morning, Melanie woke up with eye goop galore. Throughout the day, that was combining with her cough & other congestion, and she just seemed to be getting worse. So we went ahead and started the antibiotic Sunday evening, and then overnight she was a sleeping nightmare. At 7am, when it was technically time to get up, I finally felt her eyes, and they seemed to be sealed shut. I left her sleeping, got ready for work, and left Daddy home with her, assuming she had pinkeye. Later in the morning, I received these before & after bathtime photos showing the state of her eyes. The doc called in the prescription for drops today, so she should be on the mend relatively quickly once those start.

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This Thanksgiving we are thankful for our health, what we have of it - We realize we could have it much worse, and I will take coughing & goopy eyes any day!

Great weekend!

We had a great, low-key weekend at the Worzala house. Friday night, we had steak & spaghetti to celebrate my birthday. The new reality post-kids had me, on my birthday, on my hands and knees cleaning marinara sauce off the floor & wall where Melanie threw it. I wouldn't have it any other way, though :) Erika took me to lunch on Saturday, and then Jeff and I had date night, and Sunday was shopping & a family wedding reception, before dinner with the Boyetts! Melanie's cough persists, but it doesn't seem to get her spirits down! She loves "cheesing" for the camera, as you can see above. Any time she sees the camera, she says "cheese" - sometimes she brings me the camera, saying cheese - and sometimes as we're driving down the road, she'll randomly say "cheese" and smile. What a quirky kid. She has changed by leaps and bounds lately, doing well following directions (when she wants to), her vocabulary is expanding - both verbal and just "knowing" - pointing at objects when asked where things are, etc., even if she can't yet say them. She has been very affectionate, giving lots of hugs & kisses, and loves to cuddle with her baby & stuffed animals too. One of her new favorite activities is watching the photo slide show that is our screensaver on our home computer; watching that and Elmo are a close tie!

Playing with the Davises

Jeff and I had planned a date night to celebrate my birthday last weekend, but then Mel came down with this chest congestion, so she couldn't stay the night with Gigi & Poppy. Since there was a Purdue game this weekend, that option was out again, so my friend Emily graciously volunteered to babysit! She and Eric arrived Saturday afternoon so Jeff and I could go to a movie and dinner. I warned that Mel might take to Eric pretty strongly, given the track record lately with Uncle Randy and Tim Maines. I was right - she loved him! They went to the park, played outside (Saturday did NOT feel like November 14, that's for sure!), and tried to convert our daughter to a UK fan; I think it was a successful evening!

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We wanted to make sure we got home in time for bedtime, since Mel is a little unpredictable at that time of the evening. We got home about 7:45, and the above scene is what we found; Mel had been asleep for about 45 minutes! So, we have Emily & Eric booked for the next year's worth of Saturday nights :) She even slept through the night after going to sleep so early!

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THANK YOU Emily & Eric for giving up your Saturday night to spend it with our little monkey! This even after I wasn't able to give up MY Saturday night for someone's recent wedding!

Coughing & Snot

Melanie has had a cough & a nonstop runny nose for a few days now. Overnight Thursday/Friday, the rattle started in her chest; we thought it may be croup (over the phone diagnosis by the nurse). Once she started coughing on Friday, it was a "productive" cough, and it's been lingering overnight each night, but overall she seems in a pretty good mood. Her face is nearly rubbed raw from all of the nose-wiping - evidenced in this photo. She missed school on Friday and gymnastics on Saturday, but has been back at school this week. As far as we can tell, she has not had any accompanying fever. I woke up with it starting in my throat this week, and hope that we're both better soon!

Chewbaca & Her Puppy

Sunday night, Melanie and Molly played together when we had the family over for a Halloween dinner. They get cuter every time they are together; they truly love each other. I got a suitcase out to show my sister (Mel's "Going to Grandma's" suitcase), and Mel went in, got her Elmo suitcase, and brought it out and said "This is Molly's," and the two of them rolled those up and down the hall several times. They chased each other, they climbed stairs together, they hugged and kissed....and hugged and kissed.... they shared spaghetti, crawled all over Poppy, and generally had a great time - therefore, so did we, watching it all!

Trick or Treat!

On Halloween night, we participated in the annual Westons parade, starting at the neighborhood park and winding down to our house. Mel was surrounded by bees, lions, monkeys, oh my! She had a great time taking it all in, and then we headed to her friend Aya's house for a party. There were lots of little kiddies there, and Mel did well, until Daddy determined she was getting hot, and took her outside to cool off. Several kids followed her, and she started having some sharing problems, at which point we realized our little Puppy was sleepy! When asked if she was ready to go, she waved and told everyone "bye-bye!" - so we headed out. She didn't make it to Party #2, but after putting her to bed, the crazy pregnant woman headed back out for the campfire party around the corner.

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We simply left candy on the front porch, we weren't home for the trick-or-treaters. The only trick-or-treating Mel did was at Paula & Tom's house; she's not really into candy, so we skipped that for the parties.

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During the day, Melanie was eating a banana, and a bee landed on it. Therefore, every time she saw a bee or a banana the rest of the day (which was frequent, given the Halloween costumes!), she would say both words. They are forever intertwined in her mind!

Zoo Boo!

Sunday was a gorgeous day, so we headed out to the ZOO BOO! Melanie, dressed as a ferocious puppy, had a great time seeing the animals - she's been learning her animals & the noises they make, so she seemed more interested in this zoo trip than she has in previous trips. She waved "hi" to all the animals, waved "bye-bye" and blew kisses when we left each exhibit, and did a great job. We took a "frightful" train ride, and saw lots of other kids dressed up for Halloween!

Russell Farms

After gymnastics and a trip to the vet with Lucas, we went to lunch with Suzi & Wyatt. While there, Alli called to arrange a trip to the pumpkin patch, so Mel and I invited ourselves along! We weren't really in the market for a pumpkin, but we were up for an adventure, and that's what we got! We joined Suzi, Wyatt, Allison, Tim, Bella, Jamie & Doug and their daughters Madelyn and Teagan. They had a great set-up at the pumpkin farm, with petting areas, mazes, play equipment, hayrides, and on and on...... Here are a few highlights of our day, including Mel's new best friend, my cousin Tim! She could not live without him, and she & Tim's daughter Bella almost came to blows over him!