Showing posts with label jelly bean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jelly bean. Show all posts

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Jelly Bean is My Wonder Woman


Welcome back. I took a major hiatus for security reasons. Sadly, we have family members who would do our family, most specifically our children, harm. This blog will now be under password protection moving forward.

Today we are celebrating Bean’s 5th birthday. We are celebrating one of my fighting heroes. I was inspired to reopen this blog because of her self-designed cake. This just sums up my little one to a T.





  
See that Halloween frame? She wants to share the rings with her friends.
See that pink icing in her name? She said, “Pink, please!” and then “a huge thank you!” to the man who did it for her.
See those Wonder Woman costumes? She chose them because “Wonder Women is my favorite super hero. We are SO alike.”

That’s my daughter.

She was hard fought – she surprised us all when her pregnancy started just a week or two after my doctor told me over the phone that I needed a few tests and that pregnancy most likely needed to wait.

It continued through a pregnancy with words like "failure" and "high risk" and "get ready for the worst". Bed rest, 30 weeks of vomiting, early contractions, specialized tests, and pamphlets about raising a disabled child. Being prepared for the worst right before giving birth. Being rushed back to the hospital with death-rates of infection for me. Full story here.

She has been to four schools already and still speaks highly of them each. She makes friends almost everywhere she goes and is clear about who isn’t welcome in her space. She loves petting dogs, carefully asking for permission first. She is rough & tumble and rocks princess dresses.

I was reminded of how lucky I am to have her in my life and what a role model she can be for me. On Wednesday I was accidentally fed something that I am highly intolerant against. I spent the night in agony, vomiting for hours. There were times I even laughed to myself, alone of the bathroom floor as I remembered how I was in the exact same position exactly five years ago, waiting to give birth to my baby. Hoping she was healthy. Now, knowing how healthy she has become.

Then in my weakened state, the strep I carry broke out as did the light virus I was most likely successfully fighting off beforehand. Three trips to urgent care, waves of fever and fever breaking, an allergic reaction, and an entire new set of treatments and I finally feel that I am headed towards more health.

It was like the light version of her birth. Without being worried about her survival. Instead, she is not just surviving, she is thriving.

She is Wonder Woman Steinbach.



Saturday, October 15, 2016

She's Three Years Old


Our little girl celebrated her third birthday. It was full of wonderful moments of joy and big surprises.

First thing she got dressed up as a princess.


Then she insisted on a picture with her big brother to share her excitement.

The first gift was also from big brother who decorated the outside of the box himself.

It is a wohnmobile just like what Granny and Grandpa live in!


Later that day, she got to see her big gift: a massive doll house. The Mr. and I gave her the doll house and then the families got together to gift her all the furniture inside. She was so excited and as the day went on and more rooms filled up, she got even more excited. 



Before the party started, we got to skype with Oma and Opa. Again I was reminded of how grateful I am for technology that helps us remain connected.



For her birthday she requested a purple cake with hearts. Mommy delivered!




Our Colorado based family came for the party. We grilled meats and had homemade mac'n'cheese upon request and some fruits and salads. Even a dear friend of mine from college who just moved to Denver joined us!

It was a wonderful day. And now we have a three year old in our family again.

I'm still so thankful for this little one. What a wonderful addition to our family and our home. Thanks for choosing me as your mommy!

xo

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Matilly, okay!

Recently Bean and I went to a small family party in a tiny village. There was a small cabin with a little kitchen right next to an extended batch of woods. After a short period of getting comfortable, Bean took off into the woods.

This was right when my foot was the worst and I could hardly walk, let alone chase an almost-two-year-old into the woods. I called out for her, asking her to come, to return.

Instead, she turned around, look at me, and yelled "MATTILY OKAY!"


Oh, this one, We are in for one heck of a ride. 


XO

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Proud Fashion Girl

Our little lady loves to pick out her own outfits and her results are very fun.


Notice the fabulous hat and the brand new sandals with heart-shaped bindings.


This is a simple one-piece outfit. Its the confidence that makes it.


The hat really pulls it together.

Inspired? 


XO

Friday, January 16, 2015

Jelly Bean Enters DayCare

When we got back from our trip to the USA, our little lady entered day care for the first time. We are familiar and quite satisfied with this one since PJ was a member of this group for a year. We looked forward to Jelly Bean joining the group and it went better than any of us expected.

Since I was already back at work, the Mr took over the process of integrated Jelly Bean into her new group. Over here in Germany, they take transitions very seriously. The first few days, the parent and the new child stay in the group for about one hour together. The next weeks, the parent *maybe* leaves the room shortly. And four to six weeks later, the child is totally integrated into the group.

In Jelly Bean's case, it took about four weeks. These days, she is a critical member of the group and she loves going. Just check out these pictures and you'll see why she loves it so much.

First there is an awesome climbing area in the main room.

And great care providers and little friends.


Tables and chairs her own size.

And super yummy foods.

Super yummy foods.

It was strange not to be a part of this big moment of transition for my little lady. Yet, it also felt good to know this guy was running the show. Cause, honestly, this man is taking modern parenting to the next show. Check out this hottie:



That's the Jelly Bean on the Mr's back, PJ with a batman umbrella, two kindergarten bags with healthy foods inside of them, and a stroller for when PJ got too tired or bored to walk.



XO

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Granny's Birthday 2014

Another delayed posting from summer.

Late August is my mom's birthday. This year she got to celebrate it with her husband, two daughters, our (crazy enough to marry into our family) husbands, and both grandkids. Her son also gave her a birthday phone call. Guess which part she was most excited about.

Yup...these two:





While I did enjoy sharing my kiddos with my mom on her birthday, I must admit my sister's gift to her was MY favorite part of the day: 



I really wanted to take fourths (yes, I ate three servings) but Jelly Bean wouldn't give me hers. Sigh.



Afterwards we sat around and made fun of me. Or at least that's how I remember it.



xo

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Jelly Bean from 4 to 2 Legs

Another delayed post from our summer vacation.

During the our vacation in the US, our precious girl went from crawling with the very occasional step to racing after her brother on two feet. It is always a wondrous feat when a baby suddenly becomes a toddler. For me, this was extra remarkable because my family got to be a part of the journey. Living so far from my family of origin, I rarely share these experiences with them. Instead I tell them about it and we marvel, with a slight delay, together. Watching and encouraging Jelly Been from four to two was a shared experience.

It was a wonderful one.


All-fours girl in August

Our rocker in late September.

XO
xo

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Jelly Bean One Year


Jelly Bean turned one year old six weeks ago. What on earth happened? I mean, I usually time delay my posts and all that but SIX WEEKS for something so important?!?! And just a bunch of crickets here on Pickles and Onions?

The truth is, dear readers, is that my BABY turned one YEAR old. No more months, unless I do that creepy ‘my baby is 34 months old’ thing. Spoiler alter: aint gonna happen. My baby turned one and while my head got it and my heart celebrated it. My soul – and therefore the piece of me that writes – wasn’t ready for that. Nope, not at all.

But it happened. And it was wonderful.

It started early in the morning with some extra cuddles while the boys were bringing up the big birthday gift:



Here are the boys with the special gift.


Matilda took her time and then dove into her brand new toy kitchen.


Over maybe PJ did...


Then it was time to get dressed and open the gifts from our American family. So much adorable-ness!






And so many gifts!





Then PJ very excitedly gave Jelly Bean the gift he chose for her. There was a bit of confusion about who got to open the gift. First she was pretty insistent that she would open it.


But then PJ got a try.

Then she demanded it back.

And finally got it somewhat opened.

And that was the point that PJ couldn't wait any more.

 

He was so proud to give his little sister a gift. Jelly Bean was just thrilled to have Big Brother's undivided attention.

Then it was already time for our guests to arrive to help celebrate our healthy little girl.  
 





 

Since Jelly Bean still wasn't eating much sweet stuff and loved small pretzels and peanut butter, I made her a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing and her favorite tiny pretzels. She loved it!







I wasn't too confident that the German guest would like peanut butter and chocolate, so I also made a vanilla cake and cupcakes with vanilla icing colored green and blue. Those came over well.



 
 
Of course we skyped in Granny and Grandpie too!


Before too long - and much faster than ever before - the party day was over, our guests were already leaving, and all four of us fell into our beds. A wonderful day to celebrate a wonderful, healthy little lady.



 
 
There we are. My beloved, wonderful, stubborn, clever and above all healthy little girl is already one year old. I'm honored to be your mommy.
 
 
XO

 
 
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