Because Magnolia gets really bad diaper rashes, our doctor prescribed daily naked time to air her out and make sure she is completely dry after bathing.
Tonight, post bath we were sitting on our living room floor, Magnolia playing with her toys, me checking blogs on my laptop peeking over at Maggie every few seconds to keep an eye on her.
A few minutes into naked time, I glanced over to see her eating something -- it kinda looked like a Cheerio. But Nana swept the floor for me today. Thinking maybe she managed to remove part of a toy, I quickly leaned over to do a finger sweep of her mouth. As I removed the squishy, wet mass I noticed she was sitting in a pile of similar matter.
Magnolia was eating her own poop! Gross!
Maggie was not pleased when I swept her up, raced to the bathroom to sanitize her and brush her teeth. Naked time was over for tonight.
Cleaned and jammied we headed back into the living room to find the offensive after dinner snack had been magically cleaned up. Brian was at soccer. I'll let you figure out who helped me out. Double Gross!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL!!!
Ladies and Gentleman, last Sunday, November 9, 2008 Shannon Rush, star defender of Bellingham's finest soccer club, known as Your Grandma, had the rare opportunity to play striker and she did not disappoint. In a hard fought loss Shannon scored her team's only goal, her first in a distinguished 3 year career.
This was no gimme, folks. It was a beaut!!
Her teammate, Erik Meyer, streaked down the right wing before finding Shannon positioned perfectly at the top of the box. He made a beautiful pass right to Shannon, who one-timed it solidly into the lower left corner, leaving the sprawling goal-tender no chance.
Deliberations are currently under way among the management regarding whether Shannon--who has been known as "The Wall" for her defensive prowess--would better serve the team in an offensive role full time. Some commentators speculate Your Grandma is looking into emerging cloning technologies in order to have Shannon play both positions.
This was no gimme, folks. It was a beaut!!
Her teammate, Erik Meyer, streaked down the right wing before finding Shannon positioned perfectly at the top of the box. He made a beautiful pass right to Shannon, who one-timed it solidly into the lower left corner, leaving the sprawling goal-tender no chance.
Deliberations are currently under way among the management regarding whether Shannon--who has been known as "The Wall" for her defensive prowess--would better serve the team in an offensive role full time. Some commentators speculate Your Grandma is looking into emerging cloning technologies in order to have Shannon play both positions.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Happy 8 Month Birthiversary!
Things Magnolia has learned this month:
- ++ To give kisses (she will even give you a kiss when we read about it in one of her books). So fun!
- ++ To wave hello and goodbye
- ++ To put her hands over the side of her high chair tray where they get magically tickled and cleaned at the same time (Consequently, Otis and Trudy have discovered where to hang out at mealtimes)
- ++ That she prefers one food over another (One day after eating banana for breakfast she was given her staple tofu for lunch. Assuming the tofu cube to be banana she immediately spit it out and started crying.)
- ++ Moving her hands makes Mama and Papa excited. She is trying to sign to us lately. She has mastered rubbing her fists together (the sign for changing your diaper) but uses it for everything. A couple times, she has been able to sign for "more" when eating by tapping her fists together instead of twisting
Magnolia's Favorites right now:
Food - Peas, Avocado, Sweet Potato, Banana
Songs - Itsy-Bitsy Spider and Old MacDonald (especially when Papa sings it)
Book - Snuggle Puppy
What do you get when you cross a Ladybug, a Bat, and Princess Leia? Halloween '08!
In spite of still being pa-sickie, we decided to join some of our friends with young families for Halloween festivities. The evening began with Princess Leia and a Bear dancing to ghostbusters, which is always awesome.
We warmed up with some yummy soup and made sure everyone had all their appropriate costume parts and candy receptacles.
There were two wagons; one for the little ones and one for the bigger kids. Unfortunately, Magnolia decided she was not a fan of the wagon. She preferred Mama Bear's arms.
The Three Bears
It is amazing how quickly kids learn and how long lasting their memory can be when candy is involved. The three-year-old's were leading the charge, but it wasn't long before the younger ones had caught on.
Already these savvy "big kids" had learned the art of trading and the bonus of the unattended candy jar by the front door. I was impressed by one little boy/bear that very responsibly and nicely informed potential treaters that he couldn't have their chocolate treat because he is allergic to dairy.
It was fun to be with other families on a nice night and laugh at our kids. But with it came a realization that Halloween is forever changed. We'll miss the grown-up costume parties but look forward to many more Halloweens like this one, filled with squeals of anticipation and candy-induced ecstasy.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pa-Sickie!
Pa-sickie has been added to the Rush Family vocabulary. Here is the video where the term originated. It's not Magnolia, but still pretty cute.
Like many of our family phrases, the meaning has morphed. We're usually fairly healthy but this fall we have been hit hard with sickness after sickness. So what was once a popsicle--"Pa-sickie!"--has become a fun way to talk about our plight.
Beyond building our vocabulary, we've also perfected the fine art of snot extraction and marveled at how happy our baby can be as she blows gumball sized bubbles out her nose.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Jolly Green Munchkin
After practicing her pincer grip on small cubes of tofu for the last few weeks, we decided to challenge Magnolia with rolling peas and squishy avocado. She thoroughly enjoyed the addition to her dinner routine, laughing hysterically -- which sounds like a seal due to her cold -- with every bite. But, as you can see, some of her dinner did not make it into her mouth. Our little Munchkin enjoys feeding herself so much that when being spoon-fed she puts her fist to her mouth, thumb pressed tightly to her index finger, as if it is by her effort the food arrives in her mouth!Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Canadian Thanksgiving Eh?
This past weekend we ventured up to Tsawwassen, BC to celebrate Thanksgiving with Brian's family. 
Magnolia learned that sliding glass doors are fun for watching the dogs play. Trudy spent much of the visit wishing she could be on the other side of the door.
Magnolia broke out her hand-me-down Canuck sweatsuit from her cousin Ella to cheer our team on. They came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Calgary 5-4 in overtime!
After eating way too much yummy food, including Brian's favorite, Mud Pie, made specially for him, we headed home in time for Magnolia and me to head to bed and for Brian to play soccer.
Brian's childhood pet, Poncho, added Magnolia to his list of girls he likes to perform for and another reason to attack Brian.
Magnolia learned that sliding glass doors are fun for watching the dogs play. Trudy spent much of the visit wishing she could be on the other side of the door. Magnolia broke out her hand-me-down Canuck sweatsuit from her cousin Ella to cheer our team on. They came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Calgary 5-4 in overtime!
Magnolia also got to spend some quality time with her cousins, Ella and Noah. Much to Ella's frustration, Maggie was definitely more interested in her beaded dress than Dora.
Magnolia also got some quality time with her grandparents. She quickly learned that Grandpa Rush has cool things in his shirt pocket. In addition to Grandma and Grandpa Rush, and cousins Noah and Ella, Maggie also got to see her Great-Grandma Batiuk, Great-Uncle Bill, Great-Aunt Audrey, Aunt Lori, Uncle Travis and his mom, Ann. It was a bit overwhelming for her at times, but like a true people-person she was all smiles...nearly. For most of the day, Uncle Travis freaked her out.
After eating way too much yummy food, including Brian's favorite, Mud Pie, made specially for him, we headed home in time for Magnolia and me to head to bed and for Brian to play soccer.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cancer Princess and the Mantastics
Class Competitions...Dress up days...Royalty...Hall Decorating...Food and Penny Drive...the dance...the big game...school pride...pep assemblies...short attention spans...
I didn't really enjoy high school -- sometimes I wonder why I chose to go back -- but I always loved homecoming; maybe its the tradition or the bringing together of the community. Now as a teacher, I find it a great time to connect with my students, albeit a challenging time to teach. I usually try to participate in the dress up days (one year I won best costumed teacher) and attend some of the events. I prefer not to chaperone the dance any more -- it bums me out to see fifteen year olds banging their pelvises together -- unless I can take tickets or work in the coat room.
This year was the best homecoming we've had in the 8 years I've been at BHS. The class halls were the most creative, the cheerleaders had the coolest stunts, the student and staff participation was the highest I've seen. There was this positive energy all week at school.
As a part of every homecoming, our award-winning dance team traditionally pulls together a group of boys to join them in their dance. I am always surprised at the mix of male students participating as well as with their varying comfort levels and abilities. This year our male staff members decided to join the action. Our dance team advisor choreographed and taught them a dance they practiced at 6:30 am before school everyday. They call themselves the Mantastics. Luckily, someone caught it all on video -- it is a must see!
If you enjoyed that and want to see a different view, click here.
During the assembly, our principal celebrated with the crowd some of our accomplishments, ending with the Homecoming Penny Drive. He called the Freshman Princess down to center court and invited any of her friends, any of her fellow freshman, to join her in support as he explained that two weeks ago she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She was released from Children's Hospital to attend Homecoming, but will return to spend the rest of the semester receiving chemotherapy. As he was speaking, students ran, first just one or two from around the gym, then a flood from the freshman class, followed by the entire student body. It looked as if the court had been rushed after winning the big game. As her classmates surrounded her, our principal announced that the money we raised through the penny drive would go to support her and her family. It was a proud moment, to be a part of this community, to see my kids respond with such kindness and support. It made me glad that I am still in high school.
I didn't really enjoy high school -- sometimes I wonder why I chose to go back -- but I always loved homecoming; maybe its the tradition or the bringing together of the community. Now as a teacher, I find it a great time to connect with my students, albeit a challenging time to teach. I usually try to participate in the dress up days (one year I won best costumed teacher) and attend some of the events. I prefer not to chaperone the dance any more -- it bums me out to see fifteen year olds banging their pelvises together -- unless I can take tickets or work in the coat room.
This year was the best homecoming we've had in the 8 years I've been at BHS. The class halls were the most creative, the cheerleaders had the coolest stunts, the student and staff participation was the highest I've seen. There was this positive energy all week at school.
As a part of every homecoming, our award-winning dance team traditionally pulls together a group of boys to join them in their dance. I am always surprised at the mix of male students participating as well as with their varying comfort levels and abilities. This year our male staff members decided to join the action. Our dance team advisor choreographed and taught them a dance they practiced at 6:30 am before school everyday. They call themselves the Mantastics. Luckily, someone caught it all on video -- it is a must see!
If you enjoyed that and want to see a different view, click here.
During the assembly, our principal celebrated with the crowd some of our accomplishments, ending with the Homecoming Penny Drive. He called the Freshman Princess down to center court and invited any of her friends, any of her fellow freshman, to join her in support as he explained that two weeks ago she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She was released from Children's Hospital to attend Homecoming, but will return to spend the rest of the semester receiving chemotherapy. As he was speaking, students ran, first just one or two from around the gym, then a flood from the freshman class, followed by the entire student body. It looked as if the court had been rushed after winning the big game. As her classmates surrounded her, our principal announced that the money we raised through the penny drive would go to support her and her family. It was a proud moment, to be a part of this community, to see my kids respond with such kindness and support. It made me glad that I am still in high school.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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