My Cousin and Me

So, Harper is already proving her worth, for while she was being born, I got to spend the entire day with Lucas! It was awesome, of course! Mrs. Allison had lots of fun activities to keep us occupied, like she always does; I'm going to start calling their house Camp Wheeler. Lucas, I now call him by his full name instead of Luke, and I got to have lunch at his little table on his new green dishes. Boys can be so weird sometimes, so I just looked at him like he was crazy whenever he got all boyish on me. After lunch, we worked off some energy riding his trikes in the garage. There has got to be something said for a toy always looking more appealing when someone else is playing with it; we switched trikes a couple of times before we were both appeased. Inside, Lucas showed me his new kitchen, and I entertained myself for hours by washing my hands, cooking food, and setting the table with his new green dishes. Lucas, on the other hand, entertained himself by putting me in a choke hold masquerading as a hug from behind. I was very impressed with Lucas' ability to use the potty, so I tested out his little potty, did some on-potty reading, and even used the big potty to show how mature I am. I don't want him thinking that the 7-week age difference between us makes me too young for him. At one point, Mrs. Allison let me get the crayons out, and I colored a pretty picture to take home. Allison was really caught off guard when she heard a phrase that sounded oddly like "Oh, sh*t" come out of my mouth. She kept trying to figure out to what I was referring, so after a moment, she began to hold up each crayon, and when we got to orange, there was that lovely phrase again. Mrs. Allison was still laughing hysterically about it when Mom came to get me. Nap time was also noteworthy: Mrs. Allison was going to let me sleep in Lucas' bed, and he was going to sleep in her bed, but when the time came, we both insisted on sticking together, so Mrs. Allison decided to give it a try and let us both sleep in Lucas' crib. We were both so tuckered out that we lay down and started to fall asleep with our arms around each other. Mrs. Allison has a video monitor, so she was taping us, of course; she's just like my Mom - look closely; I'm the one on the left. Nap started out innocent enough; we both had our arms around each other; Lucas kept giving me kisses on the cheek; I kept pushing him away so that I could get some beauty rest, and eventually, he just got up and crawled onto my back. That is when Mrs. Allison stopped taping and decided to remove Lucas so that I could actually get some sleep. It was like Babies Gone Wild: You have really got to watch those boys, even the young ones. I really had so much fun, and I just want to thank Mrs. Allison so much for watching me all day so that Mom could be there for Harper's birth, and Mom also wants to thank you for all of the pictures of our day. The Wheelers are the bomb, and we are so lucky to have them as our friends and neighbors!

Another big thanks goes out to Baby Harper for arriving the day before the Kings of Leon concert so that Mommy didn't miss it. It was Mommy's early birthday present from Daddy, and they had great seats and an apparently great time until they lost their car, but I'll let them tell you that one someday.

Last Friday, we headed to dinner at the Fosters' house. I jumped right in with Ansley Kate, who is almost 7, and very tall Owen, who is 4 1/2 - don't forget the 1/2, or you might be in trouble. AK and Owen have the coolest playroom with a big kitchen, chalk boards, a shopping cart, on which AK wrote my name, and every toy imaginable. I had a great time until Owen started trying to pick me up and carry me around, and well, I'm just not down with that. Later in the evening, AK, Owen, and I went crazy dancing upstairs and falling on the floor; see, I can totally hang with the big kids. AK was very good about watching me; although, she did try to pick me up a couple of times too, and Owen just wanted to carry me around; I'll let you guess who won that fight. However, he did let me play with his train set, so he is totally forgiven. AK eventually slipped away to watch iCarly while I watched Owen ride his bike outside. I can't wait until I can ride a bike. Mr. Bart made really good quesadillas, something I had turned my nose up at until that night, and we each got to pick our own dessert out of the array that Mom brought; we all three picked the chocolate brownie bites. It was a great Friday night, so thank you, Mrs. Aly and Mr. Bart, for having us, and thank you, AK and Owen, for entertaining me.

Last Saturday, we got to go down to Little 5 Points to visit Harper, Aunt Steph, and Uncle Ian at home and to see the absolutely beautiful, finished nursery. Everyone was doing well; Steph and Ian seemed a bit tired, but as far as I can tell with all of my baby visiting experience in the last few months, that's pretty much the norm. Baby Harper had been a little fussy until Grandma got there and used her magic-Grandma-touch. I sulked a little on the couch as Grandma held Harper, but then I found plenty to keep me busy while everyone else took turns loving on Harper. Don't worry; I loved on her a little too. How could you not love on that beautiful baby? I brought my crayons and coloring book, which kept me occupied for all of 15 minutes. Aunt Steph and Uncle Ian have a kitty cat, which I unmercifully chased around the house. They also have a step that separates their bedroom, and I used it as a jumping pad for about 20 minutes. I even walked up to their bed, pointed at it, and said, very enthusiastically I might add, "Ooh, yeah!" at which everyone laughed and caused me to repeat the apparent funny gesture several times; I'm a sucker for any reaction. What!? I just meant, "Ooh, that bed looks comfortable" - geesh, people. I then found my old Moses basket, which I have lent out to my new cuz, and I immediately reverted back to an infant and insisted on laying in it, while making a big production for entertainment value. Everyone did take notice, but all of the ladies were way more enthralled with staring at Harper; I'll let this diversion of attention go for a month or two. Right before we left, Harper got a diaper change; after looking under her butt while trying to figure out how something so little produced so much poop, I noticed it, her terrible, awful boo-boo. Mom tried to explain that it is just something called the umbilical cord, but to me, it looks like something pretty serious. I talked about the baby's boo-boo pretty much the whole way home; it was the first thing I mentioned the next morning as well, and I have remained concerned about it ever since. Someone help my cousin, please; that thing on her tummy is disturbing, and it is giving me nightmares. Despite the boo-boo, it was so good to see Harper, as well Aunt Steph and Uncle Ian; even if, everyone's diverted attention caused me to be a little whinier and want to be held all the next day. I can't wait until Harper is big enough to play with me; it will make those days with the extended family even better and far more entertaining.

My Publix visits over the last week and half have left much to be desired because Mrs. Suzanna is on vacation! How could she leave me for 3 whole weeks? Mrs. Suzanna made sure that I would be taken care of and put a few of her friends on Livie-balloon-duty while she was visiting her family in Russia. Although I still get my balloon as soon as I arrive, it just isn't the same. Her absence has put me into a Publix-funk. Whereas I am usually bubbly and talk to all of my favorites, I have refused to talk to or even look at anyone since Suzanna went away, with the exception of Brian and only because he drew a balloon man for me. I mean, how can all of these people just go on like all is right with the world when she isn't here!? I am disgusted with them. Therefore, I will come up with my own store. About once a day, I now pack up my purse, put on my shoes, and when asked where I am going, declare that I am going to the store. When Mom asks me what I am going to get, I tell her that I am getting, "Ham and turkey" from "Brian", and when asked what I am going to buy, I say, "yellow balloon and sticker". See, I don't need a Suzanna-less Publix; I'll just go to my own store. Oh, and don't forget to "Check the list", Mom - another one of my new sayings. Please, come home soon, Mrs. Suzanna, especially since you asked Mom if you may bring me back a present from your country; don't think I didn't hear that.

Although playgroup has been kind of dismantled lately with all of the different weekly and travel schedules, Lucas, Lina, and I were able to get together at Gary Pirkle Park last week. We played; we had lunch; we tested our limits one at a time, as well as a joined force. It was a great day! On the way back to the car, I got to catch a ride with Lucas in his stroller. There are so many ways to entertain oneself with a stroller, just take it from me. You can hitch a ride with a friend,...

or insist on pushing it the last 1/10 of a mile after every run. I've got to get my exercise in too!


Last Wednesday I got to go down and see my cousin again. Before leaving the house, I noticed that we were out of paper towels, which really bothered me since it seems that I have inherited a touch of Mom's OCD, and after being promised a trip to the grocery store later to replenish said paper towels, I immediately insisted on a yellow, later changed to red, balloon as well. I then stopped, thought for a moment, looked at Mom, and said, "Baby blue balloon". I gotta take care of my new cousin and make sure that she experiences the joy of the sacred balloon. Harper, you know that you have made it into the inner circle when I am concerned with your balloon needs; the only other person for whom I have ever asked to get a balloon is Lucas, so feel special; feel very special. Mom also informed me that we might be escorting Harper to a doctor's appointment. Real Reason: She had lost some weight, and the doctor wanted to weigh her a couple of times that week to make sure that she got back on track. My Steadfast Belief: "Baby boo-boo, need doctor"; I'm still very worried about that horrible boo-boo on Harper's tummy. Whenever you ask me where the baby's boo-boo is, I point to my tummy and say, "Right there". I think that thing is of way more concern than her weight. On the way down to see my new baby, I pulled out my car laptop - that's right, I have a car laptop - and told Mom that I was "check[ing] e-mail"; life has been a little crazy lately, so I've got to make sure to stay connected to the world. This also means that yes, Mom, I listen to EVERYTHING you say. When we finally reached Harper, she slept the whole time! I want to know when she is going to wake up and play with me. She did seem very content though, and I don't think I believe Aunt Stephanie when she says that Harper has been crying a lot lately. I haven't seen any crying. Aunt Steph looked tired but really happy, and I even got to see Uncle Ian when he came home for lunch, which Mom made for everyone and explains the lack of pictures from our visit. Aunt Mal and Mr. Chris stopped by as well, and Aunt Mal got to hold Harper most of the afternoon. I entertained myself by putting my baby into all of Harper's swings and bouncy seats. I did have a major meltdown when I couldn't decide if I wanted Mom to help me start the swing or not; I also got very upset when anyone else tried to help me. I'm an emotional mess these days. Once again, when Harper was being changed, I checked out that boo-boo and reminded everyone that Harper "need doctor", which is exactly where she was headed as we left, and yes, that is my old car seat with a little makeover. On the way home, we stopped to see Grandma at work, and I got the present that she has been promising me on the phone for a week, a yellow digger truck. Looks like you are going to have to get a new present, Grandma, with which to bribe me so that I will talk to you on the phone. I love my digger truck, so thank you, Grandma. I also like the new big girl underpants you got me, but don't think it is going to be that easy; I am still not getting on that potty!

Delicious lollipop, what more is there to say? Thank you to my new friend at the dry cleaners who now bribes me with lollipops to get into my good graces. It is starting to work, and I will pretty much do anything for a lollipop these days.


Oh, so, I have developed an amazing new talent that is going to take me all the way to the Cirque du Soleil stage: I can pick my nose with my toes. Don't act like you aren't impressed. Speaking of learning new things, I am also trying to learn my full name, Olivia Lee Kendig. However, I'm learning Lucas' full name at the same time, Lucas James Wheeler, and at the current time, I'm pretty sure that my name is Olivia James.


This past Friday night, the rents and I went to Buckhead Pizza for dinner and some live music on the patio. I had an absolute blast! I danced with no inhibitions: jumping, twirling, getting low, kicking my leg up, and doing my new arm move, which is demonstrated in the video below. Everyone was watching, and a family of 6 sitting next to us took a special interest. The girls and their Dad gave me high-fives, and the mom tipped me a dollar; I am earning my keep. After the mom refused to let us return her dollar because she said I earned it, Mom and I used it to tip the band. I was a star! The next morning, I discovered a boo-boo on my foot from all of the dancing, so Mom fixed me up and put a special animal Band-Aid on the boo-boo. The rest of the day, I kept kissing Mom on the arm or face and saying, "I love you, Mama, so much". Mom likes those days. Come to find out, all that love was actually a sign that I was starting to feel kind of yucky and needed my Mommy, which resulted in a very bad weekend - blog post coming soon.


You are lucky you got that rare footage of the arm dance since I no longer allow videoing or pictures of any kind. The camera now causes a "No, Mom" fight every time; see for yourself. It is kind of strange though that Mom has started pointing the camera at me and promising that it is not on; I guess old habits die hard.

Just so you know, I look good in anything, including Dad's mismatched socks, and if I close my eyes, you disappear, which means you can't see me anymore. It is a known fact that I have used to my advantage in many situations lately to ward off strangers who feel the need to talk to me, like I'm their long lost friend, - I think not - so I just close my eyes, and the person no longer exists. You should try it sometime; it seems to be very effective. Now, I am going to close my eyes, and you can guess what happens next - goodbye.