BLOG:May 2009 · Dec. 26, 2008
Busy few days November 04, 2007
full size
It has been pretty busy around here starting with Halloween on Wednesday. It was Joelle's first time out and she quickly caught on to what was going on. If she said something resembling Trick or Treat, she'd get candy. So she would toddle up to a door and say "Twee" and luscious candies would drop into her plastic pumpkin. Good stuff.
Jonna was into it as well. We walked the two streets behind us and both girls got quite a haul of goodies.  It was a beautiful night and we were out about an hour.
Then on Friday, Nov. 2,  was the fourth anniversary of our  Gotcha Day with Jonna. We always try to make that day special. While we tried to hook up with our friends Li and John,  we weren't able to, so we took the girls out for  some dinner at Macaroni Grille. They really enjoyed it.
Sunday was a big day here too. Joelle was baptized at St. James Church. Our neighbors and good friends Scott and Liz stood in for Ben and Shann, Joelle's godparents, at the service. Joelle was pretty good throughout the service. Some funny moments though were when during one of the musical pieces in the service, there was a loud chord. Joelle looked up with really wide eyes and made the people behind us laugh.
When Rev. Dugan poured the holy water over Joelle's head, she got wide eyed again, but took it all in stride. (Although later, when she was drinking out of Jonna's cup of water, she stuck her hand in the water and put it on her head!)
She loved the music in the service. Afterward we took Scott, Liz, Jacob, Jeffrey and Cuzzie to brunch at Avon Old Farms Inn. Joelle,of course, gave Scott a run for the money on chowing down! The Sytuleks bought her the cutest dragonfly earrings. Joelle will be getting her ears pierced in December when we go for her two-year checkup.
The genie is out of the bottle October 28, 2007

We had been very very lucky. Despite being nearly two years old, Joelle still slept easily in her crib. Nap time or bed time, it didn't matter. After a story, some rocking in the rocking chair and music on the CD player, I could put her in the crib and she would play for a little while and go to sleep.

But those days appear gone.

As I outlined below, last Sunday was probably the key to the downfall. In my many attempts to get Joelle to go to sleep, I put her in Jonna's bed. Now, every time she needs to sleep, Joelle points to Jonna's bed and screams if you don't put her in it. She'll stand in the crib, throw everything out and try to rock the sides in her efforts to get out. Once I put her in Jonna's bed, all is right with the world.

Of course, Jonna has now decided she wants to sleep in her bed all the time and not climb into our bed as she has for the past four years. I've tried putting them both in the bed at the same time, but all that does is bring on major play time for them. It's cute, but when it goes past 10 p.m. or no nap happens, it isn't so pleasant.

Within the week, we'll be looking at new, big girl beds for both of them. We've seen a smaller bunk bed system since their bedroom has sloping ceilings, we have to be careful about the space.

Once we get the new beds, I'll post a picture.

I guess though, this is another way Joelle is taking after her sister. Jonna jumped out of the crib at 18 months and wouldn't go back. Joelle at least waited until she was 22 months, but the crib is history.

Rough night October 24, 2007

It's taken a while to get over it, but Sunday night was a rough night in many ways.

It started with the tension of Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The Indians kept it close until the fateful seventh inning (why did Joel Skinner suddenly get conservative on the bases???). We stayed up until the end of the game after midnight.

At about five to one, Jonna woke up with a bad dream. She quickly fell back to sleep (in our bed of course), but unfortunately woke up Joelle. Joelle cried for about 30-40 minutes, especially every time we tried to put her back in the crib.

So I decided to try to calm her down. We rocked, I stood by the crib, but nothing worked. Finally I put her in Jonna's empty bed. She seemed thrilled with it, but no where near sleep. She decided it was a great time to talk away - pointing at various body parts and telling me what they were. So cute, but not at 2 a.m.!

I tried sleeping on the floor next to her, shutting off the light and even more rocking but to no avail. I finally took her downstairs to the daybed with me. She tossed and turned a bit, but never settled town. Finally, I took her back up to Jonna's bed, kneeled next to the bed and put my hand on her. She eventually drifted off to sleep after 4 a.m.

It was fabulous though to hear that alarm clock go off at 6:15. Needless to say, it was a rough Monday - especially having to deal with all my Red Sox fan friends!

Hugs October 21, 2007

Joelle has become quite affectionate. She often comes into the kitchen where I might be making dinner or cleaning up, and wraps her arms around my legs and gives me a hug.

When I come home from work, she races around the corner, not far behind Jonna, to give me a hug and kiss. Both girls practically knock me over. What a great feeling!

But Joelle has started really coming out of her shell and showing empathy for everyone around her. For instance, we'll be in the store and she'll hear a child cry. She points in the direction and will say "Cry!" then holds out her arms as if to give the sad child a hug.

When Jonna falls and cries or is just upset, Joelle runs up to her and throws her arms around Jonna to hug her. In the morning, both girls will sometimes get in bed together and hug. It's so sweet.

This past weekend, we had friends in town. Within an hour of Jill, Sam and Rachel's arrival, Joelle had accepted them and was ready with her hugs.

She still is very attached to me and would rather have me carry her around than anything else, but she is starting to branch out with her affection.

It's now just about a half hour before Game 7 of the ALCS. Joelle should be asleep with big sister Jonna not far behind. Hopefully by the time many of you read this the Indians will be in the World Series.

I've also added a new link on our "Links" page. It's the website of our friends Greg, Jessica and Tasha MacNeil. I hope to add some websites of our other travel companions soon too.

Weird fall October 12, 2007
full size
Last weekend we went apple picking at Lyman Orchards. Usually when you think about picking apples it brings to mind cool crisp air, sunny skies and warmer clothes. Not this time though. It was nearly 90 degrees when we went for apples.
It was pretty nice to be able to still wear shorts this late, but it did seem odd to have to worry about sunscreen in October.
As you can see on the photo page, we had a good time and got a ton of apples. The orchard was very crowded that day because everyone had the same idea - let's enjoy the warm weather and get some fall fruit!
The other odd thing this year is we went two months - from Aug. 10 until Oct. 10 - with less than a half inch of rain. It really affected everything from my flower garden (chopped down much earlier than usual since it all turned brown quickly) to the trees not turning colors yet losing their leaves. Our biggest fear is that our well will be too low since there hasn't been much rain. (That's the other reason my flowers bit it so early - I stopped watering them to save the well.)
But now we are in more fall-like conditions - wet, rainy and in the low 60s. Perfect weather for watching the Indians in the American League Championship Series.
Go Tribe!!!