The Price of Peace--In The Car

When Rich gets ready to buy me a car I make a list of "must haves" and "negotiable haves". Things like seven seat belts, leather seats, any color but silver and overhead installed DVD player go on the must have list. Why the entertainment? Because we use the DVD player every single day! Before you call DCFS on me think about it-- Anja is in the car, a lot: carpool, wrestling practice, piano lessons, soccer and shopping. That's a lot of sitting for a three year old. So, to keep her happy we slip in a DVD of her choice and all is well..
Last week the DVD player broke. The fix-it job was $900--it's only two years old! The sad part is I was ready to hand over the cash.. Rich wasn't. Then, a moment of genius hit and we claimed it under our warranty. In less than 24 hours it was replaced. During the time it was broken I had to listen to The Wheels on the Bus, Do Your Ears Hang Low and Princess theme songs for hours! Lesson learned: The price of peace in the car is worth the price of a DVD player AND the extended warranty.

Snow White and Dopey at BestBuy

Last week Rich took Anja with him to BestBuy. He let her go wearing her Snow White costume. As they were walking around he heard her say, "Come on, Dopey." He looked down to see who she was talking to and saw nothing. Anja was pretending to have the dwarfs follow her around. It was cut, until people around them started to wonder why a little girl kept calling her dad Dopey.

Perfectly Pink Party

Let the party begin!! It was our "perfectly pink party" for Anja's 3rd party. Everyone received pink invitations in the mail with instructions to dress the part. It was her "best day ever" she told us.
Jensen and Nadia getting in a quick birthday kiss. Anja picked out her pink sweater and pink tutu last week. It was killing her to wait a week to wear it!

Pink shirt and my "Fancy Nancy"pink boa.. because everything looks fancier with a fluffy pink boa.

Even Rich humored Anja and put on a pink t-shirt for the occasion. In this picture, she has just seen him and is laughing saying, "daddy's don't wear pink."

Uncle Scott is getting into the mood with pink, pink and pink feathers. He's a good sport, too.

Grandpa had his second knee replacement just five days before so he was limited on his wardrobe selection. He was a good sport and donned a crown and curly pink ribbons on his crutches.

Grandma and Jensen dressed the part..

Anja asked for a DS like her brothers. Mom and dad compromised and got a Leapfrog2 system. It was a hit. Especially because it was pink and purple.

The best present of all (and one we are using even as I write) is the new princess sleeping bag from grandma and grandpa Coombs. Grandma wore pink, too!

Anja requested a pink cake with purple pock-a-dots. This mother delivered! Thanks to a very talented professional cake decorator and close friend.. visit her blog http://www.dawnscakes.blogspot.com/

It was time to sing.. Happy Birthday, baby!

***Mom Notes! Read Only If You Dare***

It's been three years. Really, it's been four since Anja became part of my life. It hasn't always been easy. Just today I would have sold all three to the lowest bidder. She brings so much to my life. It's like having a little shadow following me around all the time. Anja is all girl and loves princesses and high heels. She loves lipstick (chap stick), pink finger nails and dancing. She giggles on demand and wants you to rub her tummy while she falls asleep. Anja worries about other's tears and if Lexy, the dog, is happy. She cries when Bambie's mom doesn't come home and wants to know why Pinocchio didn't have any parents when he was born. She can name Star Wars characters and can play a mean drum set to Lego Rock Band. Shoes are to be coveted and if it has pink or glitter, it's a must! I see the best of both Rich and me in her. I see a reflection of my happiness and frustration in her continence. I see joy. I see a miracle that someone knew I needed and would never think twice about once I had.

Life as Snow White or Potty training is hard work...

I would gladly give birth to my children again-- long hours and all-- in exchange for someone else to potty train them. I really hate it. Anja was my slowest at showing interest so when she did, we/she did it in a couple of days. That earned her a trip to the toy store and Snow White is what we came home with.

It was hard work spending daddy's money. Somehow, we managed and came home exhausted.

Mr. and Mrs. Bywater

Congratulations Mat and Kellie!!! Welcome to the family. Or should I say, thanks for not running away!

Married on February 12, 2010 in Costa Rica

Out of the funk...

...and moving on. The boys started wrestling last month. They love practice, condition running and all, but haven't found the fun in tournaments. We made them go to their first one to see what it was like (both pinned during their fist match, then lost by points in their second) but said they could just use this year to learn about the sport. Uncle Scott and papa were more excited than anyone else. Maybe wrestling is in their blood.

Dead or alive..

...a little of both.
Wednesday--Jensen @ doctors with pneumonia
Thursday--Anja @ doctors with croup
Friday-- back to the doctors with Jensen
Weekend--no ER visits
Monday-- Rich stays home sick doctor says he has bronchitis
Tuesday--Anja melts down in ballet class emergency visit to doctors, she has an ear infection

It all adds up to more doctor visits in one week than I made in all of 2009. There are more antibiotics in my fridge than food. Diet coke is not enough. I love my family but I'm done, so done. To add to my raw nerves.. Mat is getting married in Costa Rica Friday so the Bywater clan is on the beach, without me. Damn responsibilities!!!

Highlight-- Saturday Anja decided to potty train. Nice, no more diapers and she did it on her own. Sweet! It's the only thing that's keeping me going-- it's a big highlight, a really big one.