Don't Laugh...

As I was rocking Livy in the chair before bed, she said she was thirsty so I called for Kyle to bring her up some milk.  Livy called down, "Dad, it's on the coffee table!"

When we got out of the car before Henry and Louisa's party, Livy cheered, "We made it to the city!  Yay!"

I asked Livy what she wanted to do at her birthday party.  She said, "Wanna wear a polka-dot dress!"

After we said bedtime prayers, Livy said, "I wanna come for a visit to Jesus.  When I get older?"

She is making a long mental list of things she wants to do when she gets older.  The amazing thing is how easy it is to appease her if we just say, "When you get older."  I was sucking on a lemon candy and she wanted it but I just said, "When you get older" and she said, "Okay!  When I get older I have lemon drops!"

Before she is about to do or say something funny, many times Livy gives the warning, "Don't laugh."  I think she is half talking to herself, like she doesn't want to laugh too soon and ruin the punch line.  She usually says, "Don't laugh" right when we park the car.  Then, when daddy or I go to the back seat to get her she asks, "Stay in car?!"  and pretends like she wants to stay in there.  We all end up laughing, especially because of the way she so seriously says, "Don't laugh."

An Unhappy St. Patrick's day

This year was a St. Patrick's day that I will never forget...but not for good reasons.  I got in a car accident driving Livy home from daycare.  Actually, it was right as we were pulling out of the daycare.  I don't feel like writing about the details, as I've gone over it so many times in my head and to other people already.  But, the main thing is we all walked out of it okay.  Livy and I were fine and the other driver just had a hurt knee (her car was totaled and our Jeep was beat up on the front driver's side).  It could have been much worse than it was, and I am so thankful that everyone is okay.  It was just another reminder of how much of life is beyond our human ability to control it.  I came close to one of my worst fears, but God protected us.  And in a way, I feel stronger as a mother knowing that I was able to deal with this terrible situation.    

Top O' the Mornin' to ya!

We went to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Morristown yesterday and had a great time.  Turns out Livy loves a parade! (she does have some strong genes from my dad's side of the family!).  They had lots of doggies there including several Jack Russell terriers that Livy got a real kick out of.  But if you ask her, she will probably tell you her favorite part was the "funny beer costume".  The sight of the giant Guinness walking around with hands sticking out seems to have made a big impression.  She also loved the dancing girls and would do her own little stiff-legged jig every time a band or dance troupe went by.  She was so cute that at times the people around us seemed more interested in watching Livy than watching the parade.  She also loved  corned beef!  She definitely seems to have a little bit o' Irish in her.

Watching the Weiner Dogs go by

The best view you can get.

Seeing eye dogs

Bagpipers

Livy climbed and jumped out of her crib twice last weekend so we decided it was time to convert her crib into a toddler bed.   She loves it and has slept well through the night for three nights even though she could get right down if she wanted to.  I was nervous about how the first night would go, but the next morning she was just playing quietly in her room when I went in to get her.  I think she was just excited the first day.  But the next two mornings she was still snuggling in her bed when we went to get her.  She still slept till about 8:30 this Saturday morning.  So far so good!

Livy has a funny habit of talking and jibber jabbering with her eyes half-closed right before I put her to bed at night.  Tonight as I was rocking her in my arms, she said something like, "When Livy get older Livy gonna have nuts.  And almonds too! Daddy have almonds.  Not for Olivia.  Those are Livy's favorite ones when Livy gets older."