"I JUST SAW ANDI MACK!"

Stella loves the Disney show Andi Mack. I don't hate it because it doesn't have a soundtrack and I actually will watch it sometimes because it is filmed in Utah and I love trying to figure out where they are shooting the scenes. On the night of Brent's annual work dinner the subject came up that the show would be filming some scenes on their work street the next day on December 12th. I guess they have to notify all of the local businesses. No one thought much of it, because they film movies there quite often, but my ears perked up when I heard that it was Andi Mack. One of Stella's greatest dreams was to see an episode filmed. (She also was dreaming they would see her and then ask her to be in the show as a main character, but that is obviously not a dream that I have given her any hope will happen.)

Of course we didn't know any details of film times or who would be in the scenes, but I was determined to get Stella down there anyway. So Brent texted me around 10:30 that he had seen the main character walking down the street and then she was put in a van and taken away. I decided to take a chance and go and get Stella out of school so she might be able to see her. I figured that even if nothing was happening, it was around lunch time anyway.

We ended up staying for four hours, and would have stayed longer if Stella hadn't had piano lessons. It was all very exciting! We walked down to where they were filming scenes and spotted the main actress right away. Then she was gone as they reset for the next shot. One of the guys working there was really nice. He told us we could stand closer and even got Stella an autographed picture. We just weren't allowed to take any pictures or videos because Peyton (Andi) was "in costume." We also were told we would not be able to ask for a picture with her. I tried to be as respectful as possible. I mean, they were all doing their jobs and don't need us bugging them, so we played it pretty cool. It was freezing and I don't think we would have been able to stay as long if we hadn't had Brent's office to go in and get warm.

I started to get a little more sneaky and did manage a few pictures of Peyton to commemorate the day. I mostly wanted to document Stella enjoying it as she said "This is the coolest thing that has ever happened to me."

When it was about time for school to get out we texted Ashley to come down who hurried and brought Ava to see all of the action. We had to leave before we could watch them film one more scene, but it was super fun to share in the excitement with Ava.

It was a totally fun, special, out-of-the-box day, and I think it proves again without a doubt that I am the coolest mom of all time.

HELLO SANTA

I felt like the entire month of November had been spent with someone in our house being sick. It wasn't far from the reality either. So when Vivi was finally feeling better I wanted to go out and do something to bring the Christmas spirit. Stella's class was having a fourth grade ski trip on Thursday December 7th, so she didn't go to school. It was the perfect day to go and see Santa. We called Grammie and headed down to City Creek.

We got there and the mall was dead. No one was around. So by the time we got to the adorable Santa lantern they had we were able to just walk right in. Vivi had already been interested in Santa and was pointing him out in pictures, but seeing Santa in real life was totally different. She was NOT interested in sitting on that scary man's lap. Now, when Stella was scared her first time, I just made her do it and didn't care. But with Vivi, I am much more cautious about insisting she be comfortable and accepting of complete strangers. Finally I thought of the idea of putting her on Stella's lap, and she did it. And then she smiled so cute for the picture. I loved it.

Stella asked for a slime-making kit and Vivi asked for anything Minnie Mouse.

After we had the printed picture, Vivi grabbed it and pointed and told us all excitedly about seeing Santa, how he says "Ho, Ho, Ho," and how she sat on his lap and took a picture with Stella. It was totally adorable. Mrs. Claus had also been there and she gave Vivi a Santa book. Vivi LOVED it. She carried it everywhere we went for DAYS after. It was good evidence that seeing Santa had been a good memory for her and not a traumatizing and scary one--thank goodness.

After our Santa visit we had some food at Blue Lemon and then went shopping at Deseret Book. I'm so glad we took the time to see Santa this year and also that we were able to do it crowd-free. It was awesome.

SICK BABY VIV

Poor Vivi showed signs of illness a few days after Thanksgiving. There was no doubt in my mind that whatever Finn had, Vivi had it too. There were some positives to knowing that Finn had had it first because Vivi got SICK. Way sicker than Stella has ever gotten, and Ashley had taken Finn into the doctor already. He was diagnosed with croup, so it was good to know what Vivi had and also the time frame of how long she was going to feel terrible. She was sick with a high fever for a full week (from November 27 to December 1). There were times I just felt lost and didn't know what else to do for her. It was so scary. She would just sit on the couch and watch Mickey Mouse and then sometimes she would doze off. She also coughed like crazy as per the usual of Vivi's illnesses in the past.

The whole experience was interesting for me. (Vivi had just been sick a few weeks before, so she spent most of the month of November sick.) She would wake up in the night and I would get her and keep her in my bed and let her watch shows on the tablet until we both dozed off. I was exhausted and worried. I've never really felt like taking pictures of sick kids before, but I kept doing it with her because this illness felt a bit monumental. The whole time I was taking care of her I just felt so honored to be her mom, and to be the person that was around and ready to take care of her. I kept thinking of her being sick like this in China, alone with no one to care for her in the night. I was just so glad she was with us and that she was getting cared for while she felt terrible. I'm generally a sub-par nurse with very little patience so it was interesting to see how easily I was able to be a nurse to Vivi during this week. It just showed me how much I love her and how she has simply become, no questions asked, my baby.

VIVI EATS TURKEY IN STYLE

Oh, Thanksgiving. It was such a delightful little day. Admittedly, I was wishing I was on the cruise we almost went on for my birthday, but still it ended up being a really nice time. Ashley hosted. She texted us all and let us know how sick Finn was, but since Vivi and Finn had shared a meal the day before, I was pretty sure Vivi had already caught whatever Finn was sick with. I ended up being right, which was a bummer.

Back to the day though. I didn't see much of Stella as she went around playing with Ava, but Vivi was so into all of the food. She loved all of it, but she went crazy for Papa's turkey. At one point she stole all the turkey from my plate and when I called her out on it, she gracefully gave me back one of the pieces she had stolen and kept the rest for herself. It is so fun to have a kid that actually eats food, unlike my precious Stella who even though she is willing to try new foods, on Thanksgiving she really only likes the rolls.

We also celebrated my birthday. On my actual birthday Brent and the girls took me out to dinner at Asian Star. Also, in the morning my parents took me out to breakfast. So by Thanksgiving I didn't really feel like it was my birthday anymore, but no one is going to stop me from blowing out some candles with my baby Vivi by my side.

ONE YEAR WITH LOTTIE LU

Our little Lottie Lu turned one on November 3rd. I had the pleasure of being her babysitter that day so I took her outside and snapped a few birthday pics. I might have been the worst babysitter of all time, but I am still an okay photographer so I hope that made up for my bad babysitting skills. She is one sassy, funny kiddo.

We all got together to celebrate Lottie the following Sunday on November 5th. Poor Lottie had to share her cake with Porter and then Vivi and Stella. I'm not sure she minded though. She loved opening her presents and seemed to love them all. But she got the most excited about a baby doll. She was so happy to get a little baby of her own. We love our Lottie and are so happy to have her in our lives.

Also, as a side note, I'm not sure I ever got over how cute Vivi looked that day. I love watching her at family events like this and I still can't believe that she is here safe and sound with her forever family.