Cohen, 27 months

Because this has been kind of a place for me to 'scrapbook' online, I do want to remember the past couple of months with my growing little boy.

It seems like just since his September birthday that he has just turned from toddler to a little man.  ;-)

Do you see what I mean? Look at that little ham with with hand in his pocket.  Seriously kid. JUST STOP GROWING UP SO FAST!!!

These are his day school pictures.  His Aunt Audrey cut his hair just a few days before and he was rocking the big boy gel hair-do.
















Cohen,

Since you've turned two, each week your vocabulary increases about a 100 words.  And now instead of me translating most of it, the general public can communicate with you.  You love to say hi and bye to random strangers, and love the attention when people respond back.  It is not unusual for people to give you high-fives as they leave restaurants and you give your friends at church a 'fist-bump' with sound effects.  (Because apparently thats what cool 2 year old boys do! Thanks Jenn ;-)

You are still our smuggler and love to give kisses and hugs.  Kisses are freely given and sometimes you will cover our whole faces with them!  Your BIIIIIG hugs are complete with pats on the back.  Generally though, you just want to be touching one of us.  You'd rather sit on our laps while you eat, you hang on to pant legs and just like to be near people.

You had a fever here...we had no idea..

You are mommy's mini-me.  Strong willed and opinionated ;-) You listen when you want to and struggle with time outs and consequences. Learning that is tough!  You love to read books and have just started to read 'aloud' on your own. You also sing songs and request them...some favorites are "You are my sunshine" "The Disney train ABC song" "Farmer Song (Old MacDonald)" and "Thomas the train"  You can sing the ABC all the way through and sing a nakey-baby song every day after bath time.  I won't put that video up on the blog...haha!

Since daddy has been home a lot lately, you've really turned into a little daddy's boy. He's the first one you ask for when you wake up, and you want to play trains and kitchen with him almost every day.  Potty training has been great because he and I are both here to tag team you.  Daddy gives in to your requests for Mickey and likes to chase you around the house.

Speaking of potty training... just for documentation:
Beginning of December 2014 - you started to take your diaper off after naps and night time. Several times you peed aiming outside the crib, or would leave us presents to clean up on your bed.  The accidents terrified you...
So a week ago, we decided to go for it.  You were showing all the signs of readiness, and with it being a break from day school we figured why not ;-) (Signs: waking up dry, taking clothes off on your own, had been peeing in the potty a few times a day just for fun, the crib nakey baby messes...oh lordy!)

Sunday - half day started naked baby boot camp.  Sat you on the potty every half hour with no accidents.  Put you in a diaper at night and woke up dry.
Monday - Wednesday; naked baby boot camp.  Sometimes you would wear your underwear.  We had 2 pee accidents and finally got you to do a #2...although it was REALLY awful..  Who knew that could be so traumatic?
You refused to be put in diapers since...and tomorrow will be a week out.  You are 27 months old. And we aren't looking back.
I know there will be more accidents to come and probably some battles of the wills, but for the most part, this has been a good transition for all of us.  Now if you could just reach the sink to wash your own hands afterwards... ;-)

This post was supposed to be a short update - ha! You still love your Grandpa, you request your teachers and friends at school and you are a little charmer.  You turn on the christmas tree lights each day, you feed the dogs and let them outside and you 'help' mama with her makeup.  All part of Mr. Independent One

We love you booger.

Babi

Me and my Babi...see any resemblance?

My Babi

I've been hunting for pictures for about a month now, and I keep putting off this blog post because I know there are more. SO many more. And I think I am afraid if they don't go all in one post, that I will forget them..or forget her..  And honestly, I can't type for more than a few minutes without completely losing my composure.  Its been almost 2 months...and yet, its just still so very hard to know that she is gone.

You know that saying, 'You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family.' Well, I can say that I am so so very grateful to have had the kind of connection with my grandmother that I had.  Have.  Will always have.

Babi comes from the Czechoslovakian word for "grandmother" and its basically the only name we called her.  Even my friends call her Babi! Her 'given' name was Elizabeth.  Something I get to carry on as my middle name ;-)

Babi always said we had the same gorgeous legs, and that short skirt could go just a bit higher.  She'd laugh and tell me stories about her dancing and sunning herself (followed by the warning of how the sun damaged her skin and not to mimic her behavior) I think I have similar facial features, especially my nose, and there are too many similarities in our personalities.  You'd have to ask our family for those ;-)

Patrick was adopted into her 'grandsons' pretty easily. In fact, Babi was the first person we called after my parents when we got engaged that night.  He hasn't had any living grandparents for a very long time...so Babi became his grandmother too.  ;-)

Playing at Watkin's Glen in upstate New York when she was really climbing and moving!

Joy.

The next few collages are just some of the things that made her unique.  She was determined and opinionated.  She refused to take medication and was always researching her magazines and newspapers for things she had to share with us.  We spoke on the phone every. stinkin. Sunday since my senior year in high school.  In fact, if a Sunday afternoon went by without my call, I was assured a very worried voicemail. Or, if the weather was bad somewhere in the 'area' (and my area I mean, Texas was about the size of a small town to Babi) we'd get a call checking in on us.  Hurricanes, Tornados, flooding, droughts...all things she would see on the news and we'd promptly get a phone call. Now THAT is real love ;-)

My Babi loved a good cup of coffee... you know, the coffee that still had the grounds at the bottom and could very easily be described as thick.  She liked the long conversations over that cup of Joe, and always ALWAYS had something sweet to go with it.  We were lucky to be able to take her for coffee quite frequently this past year.  Both discovering some pretty neat places in Tulsa that would brew a cup strong enough for the both of us.

From two weeks to two years, my Babi got to experience as much of Cohen as we could get in !

Babi and Cohen.  Yup. That's about all I can type without totally losing it over here.  And to be honest, its not just Cohen.  She loved those babies...any spare moment was asking about them.  She would have rough days there the past few months, but man her spirit would just LIVIN up when we would bring them. Cohen was old enough to ask to go to Babi's house each week, and he would climb right up on her lap and love on her.  I'd like to think they had a special connection.  If you missed that post, its here.

Have I mentioned she loved to dance? She was the life of the party, always, and made all three of our weddings pretty amazing.  Such a party animal ;-)

Babi and I got to go on a European tour just the two of us.  I visited her families, her hometown, and we still reminisced about that trip almost every time we spoke on the phone.  I have several albums of that trip, but only this ONE picture of the two of us.  I am so so so grateful that I had this time with her.  The last time Babi and I were alone, I went through this album with her.  She didn't really know what was going on, but I'd like to think we were back in a 'normal' conversation about how we were going to take another trip 'back home.'

Ah, her family.  These are obviously just a few pictures and her sons and my cousin aren't even in here...BUT she was definitely the glue that held us all together.  We called her OUR Babi.  Or we'd just smile when she'd say something we all understood...ahhh...OUR Babi ;-)

But she DID have great nails ;-)

A blessing and a curse really...I will just say that this past year was such a blessing.  And yet, so hard to see the Babi I knew be taken hostage by physical illness.  The moments that I got to spend with her in the hospital, in her room, and holding her hand are seared in my memory.  We never talked about the "C" word, or the negativity.  She didn't want us to worry and in her lucid moments would just sit and enjoy being.

Only because the rest of my family will understand, I put this picture here.  Babi has said for the last 20 years that she wouldn't be alive to make the next family event.  For me, she would say - I won't make it to your high school graduation...I won't make it to your college graduation, or your wedding, or the birth of Cohen. I SOBBED on our wedding day because I was just SO grateful she had 'made' it. Looking back she was healthy as a horse 10 years ago.  ;-) Such a silly Babi

Hanging out in Hawaii with a 2 week old Cohen.

Gorgeous

This is HER outfit.  Anyone else remember this?  

Laughing with me and Audrey...I think we had a little bit of wine that day...

The world was her oyster...she did what she wanted..when she wanted it.

Always a good sport.

Getting our hair done by Audrey...for Laura's wedding.

This picture above was the first time we noticed anything about her dementia.  She had spent the day at the salon with all of us getting ready, for several hours.  When we all got back to the hotel, she took a shower forgetting that she had already done so in preparation for Laura' big day.  Its been 3 years since that point...


Honestly I should have put this picture first.  She HATED being in pictures.  She'd never let us take pictures of her and it was rare that we'd convince her to smile otherwise.  (So Babi, if you are reading this, I know you don't like your pictures taken...but I had to share these!)

We enjoyed pampering her with pedicures and manicures ;=)

Have I mentioned her fashion? Or that she did what she wanted? Her favorite color was red, but she'd never wear it.  Or she'd only wear ONE piece that was bright.  She loved animal print, long skirts and long blouses....preferably cotton or silk.  None of that 'fake' stuff and surely nothing made in China.  When I would buy her clothes, I'd cut out the tag saying where it was from so she wouldn't take it back ;-)

Helping us move into our house. At 89 years old...still wanted to help!

I mean, seriously! GORGEOUS! This was a few months ago Summer 2014

Grandparents - Grandpa, me, Babi and Deda...about 8 years ago.

Attending my college graduation

Audrey's wedding...drinking her manhattan...

Happy Tears

Babi, you always said I was too busy and to take time to enjoy the birds and the flowers.  You loved my crepe myrtles in Houston and here in Tulsa.  You were my friend, my confidant and my grandmother.  You continue to inspire me to 'not gain on weight' to not consume the chemicals, and to be careful about what medications I put in my and my family's bodies.  You were the gift giver in our family, but really YOU were the best gift of all.

I don't think Heaven quite knew what they were getting this October.  I can't wait to join the dance party there with you.  

Happy 90th Birthday, Babi!

I miss you.  So very very much.  

EOP Challenge!

So, this is our new challenge ;-)

Eat everything out of our fridge, pantry and freezer before going grocery shopping again.  Some of you may have heard of this from Dave Ramsey's "Millionare Diet" or Dani Johnson's "War on Debt" but we are just doing it to see how far we can stretch this budget item.

The idea is that we as Americans are pretty good at the gathering and hoarding part of our food budgets.  We tend to go grocery shopping when we want to (or need an item that ends up turning into 20..) and then if we are too lazy we just go out to eat.  Several times we look and have to throw away food that has gone bad after a few weeks (hellllloooo smelly fridge??).  This way we are eating off what we HAVE first and then purchasing as we NEED instead of as we WANT.  So this challenge is to eat off our 'gatherings' first and not eat out at all.*

Fortunately we are pretty well stocked already AND with Thanksgiving this week, we are hoping to have several meals of leftovers.  I may end up with something creative for Friday evening's meal after I've been looking through Pinterest for ideas!

I have a few meats in the freezer, steak, chicken and fish plus some meals that I freeze when I make large pots of things over the past few months.  I didn't want to put them into the plan until I really know how much food we will have at the end of this week.  

The only concern I truly have is that we aren't following a great nutrition plan here.  We will be eating items that are not Paleo, not Whole30 and sometimes downright not good for us.  I am most anxious about spreading veggies and fruits out over two weeks because those tend to go bad so quickly.  Next week's meals could get a little more...creative.. LOL.

*there are two meals this week that were already scheduled, Patrick's bible study on Tuesday morning and my lunch with a friend on Friday.  

Anyone done this before? Suggestions or ideas for us???

In her presence

Our Babi...MY Babi...and especially Cohen's Babi had a few things up her sleeve before she left us.  I wanted to share this story with you all because It. Is. Unbelievable.  And I don't want to forget these precious moments.  I've used this blog mostly to document our lives and I can tell you that Babi has been a HUGE part of it.

First of all, we were so lucky to have her living in the same city as all of us these past few months.  We knew our time was special and limited, and especially of late that each day was a gift.  This past weekend we could tell that she was especially tired and the stubborn fighter wasn't nearly as spunky as she once was.

Babi came over to our house for steak and lobster dinner on Thursday (10/16).  We were cooking whole30 and having a celebratory meal before my Dad's surgery the next day.  Four generations of men ALL needed hair cuts, so they went together to see Audrey. (That's Deda, Dad, Patrick and Cohen)  I got to spend a precious few hours with my Babi alone.  We looked at old photos even though she didn't remember them, we cried, and got to say our goodbyes.  I remember thinking she knew something was up. She knew I needed some time to hold her hand.

If you have held on reading thus far, THIS is where it gets cool :-)

On Monday (10/20) Cohen had an especially challenging day.  He didn't nap, went to the dentist, and was just 'off.'  Jennifer and Patrick were over and we were entertaining a wild child before putting him in the bath a bit earlier than usual.

With absolutely no prompting from us he stopped playing in the bathtub and declared,

"Babi is going bye-bye."

I asked him where Babi was going...

"Babi is flying with the Eagles."

I grabbed my phone to try to get some of this on video, and you can hear me asking him where Babi is.  By this point he is distracted again by his water toys, but I cannot tell you how special this moment was.  After he went to bed, I told Patrick we were going to visit her the next morning.  I just had this feeling.

She passed away around breakfast that next morning.  I wonder if Eagles are Angels in a two-year-old's mind...


And finally, as we were gathering as a family and surrounding Babi yesterday, she made us all laugh once more.  About a month ago, in typical Havlik-women fashion, we all went out for manicures.  Babi had asked for bright orange and we were talking about our new iPhones, the cute Emma, and life.  For whatever reason none of our phones would take pictures that day, so our nail tech (Anthony) snapped some shots of her with Laura and Emma to text to us later.  Would you know that I forgot about the pictures?

Until I got a text message on my phone at 10 am yesterday.  With this picture below.

Let me clarify.  Anthony is NOT a friend with me on Facebook.  He would have had NO IDEA that we had said our goodbyes yesterday morning.

Coincidence?   I think Babi was just letting us know that she may be gone physically, but will always be there in spirit.

oh - TWO- doodles!!!

Happy Mickey Mouse Birthday to you Cohen...

We don't have cable after moving out from Cici and Grampa's house but when you DO watch Mickey Mouse, the 'oh tooooooooodles' part is your favorite.  So we went with it for a theme for the day.

We had so many family and friends come out to celebrate on Saturday (your ACTUAL) birthday this year.  In between the craziness of kids running around, opening presents and house visitors, you also skipped your nap.  JOY ;-) But it was worth it..

Your Babi and Deda came and spend all day watching the mayhem at our house.  Even Babi thought you were quite entertaining.

Babi and Deda made it by!

my big two-year old!

I wanted people to be able to come and visit and eat without having to serve food all day.  So we had a serve yourself atmosphere and Mickey and his friends helped.  We had "Toodle's Trail Mix" ... do not judge the food selection below. NONE of it is nutritious, on the Paleo/whole30 plan OR is generally anywhere close to our home.  But for one day, totally worth it...

Flowers in the back were for me to celebrate the BIRTH day as well ;-) Thanks Patrick!

Yummy Mickey-shaped Oreo cookies as an easy sweet treat (missed my blog on that? The recipe is here)  We were just going to do a simple sheet cake, but the city of Tulsa does not support the Mickey-themed cakes.  They DO, however, have many MANY MAAAAAANY Minney mouse cakes for all the little girls. Don't get me started on why my BOY child can't have a Mickey cake from Walmart, but the GIRLS have 4 choices of Minney Mouse.  So instead, I made up a few decorations and we put it on top of simple cupcakes.

Our "Hot Diggity Dog Bar" (You know you are a parent if you are reading this and the song automatically comes in your mind..) I just placed hotdogs in the crockpot with all the fix in's on the side. I thought it went over well!

And lest you think that because we had a horrible menu of non-nutritional items in our house, you KNOW I had to have some healthy snacks.  Ran out of time to make Shakeology cookies, but Mickey shaped watermelon (thanks Jennifer!) and veggies worked just fine!

We had so many family and friends come out to celebrate on Saturday (your ACTUAL) birthday this year.  In between the craziness of kids running around, opening presents and house visitors, you also skipped your nap.  JOY ;-)

I'm sorry for the picture overload, but these speak louder than my words could ever do.  We are so lucky to have you in all your sassiness, huggable, snug gable, and smarty-pants self.  Happy Birthday, Cohen.

Eating Cake with Carolyn

Could have scared him or not...he LOVED the giant Mickey

Cousins...so sweet

And then you have to bathe them before bed, right??

Thank you again to all the people who helped and came out to say you loved him..(and us maybe?) We even got to spend the weekend with college friends and family. Life is good ;-)