A Tribute To My Grandma

Charlotte Marie Oliveira

June 8, 1915 - December 24, 2009

Things I remember about my Grandma:

*I called her Lala

*She was loving and kind

*She was a good cook and I enjoyed spending time with her in the kitchen

*She made tapioca pudding for family gatherings, but made me chocolate since I didn't like tapioca
*She could crochet, quilt, and do other crafts
*She did beautiful stained glass work
*She had great faith and attended Church regularly
*She would make a bouquet of flowers for me from her garden when I visited
*She had long hair that she wore in a bun until she lost it during chemo
*Breast cancer survivor
*She was stylish and beautiful
*I loved to play with her shoes and put on her red lipstick
*Avon Skin-so-Soft
*Chocolate mint Andes in the refrigerator and chocolate covered Bon Bons in the freezer
*We played cards at the kitchen table (usually Kings in the Corner)
*I loved listening to my grandma's Hawaiian records
*Rock collection

*She loved to travel; She went on many trips and cruises with my grandpa
*My grandparents had a trailer and we met them at Topaz Lake for Easter

*She had candy dishes full of candy all over the house (the first thing I did when visiting was check out all the candy dishes)
*She called appetizers Pupus (Hawaiian and sounds like poo poos)

The True Spirit of Christmas

Saturday the 12th was our church Christmas activity. Usually each year the activity is a dinner, but this year the committee decided to do something different. I was on the activities committee and I was happy that we decided to focus on the "True Spirit of Christmas". Instead of feeding ourselves physically we started with a short program to feed ourselves spiritually. We enjoyed music and the spoken word inspired by Thomas S. Monson's message "In Search of the Christmas Spirit" (click to read).


After the program we celebrated the "True Spirit of Christmas" by doing service. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a humanitarian program and we made things to donate to this program. There were wooden toys to be painted and put together, file folder games to be made, and baby quilts to tie. Members of the ward also brought dolls and stuffed animals to donate.


I was in charge of the file folder games and loved watching everyone come together to serve. We not only were able to make gifts for children in need, but we had a good time doing it. We talked, laughed, and enjoyed dessert too. I think the activity was a success and I hope it is a new ward Christmas tradition.

I wonder, what does Christmas mean,
With its stars and shiny balls?
Is Christmas more than Christmas trees
And toys and games and dolls?
Of this I’m sure: There’s something more,
For I’ve heard many say
That in a strange and far-off land,
A child was born this day.
And Christmas is to celebrate
His coming from above.
He showed us how we all should live
And told us we should love.

Furniture Walking

Today Ava began furniture walking for real. In the past she would try and take a step and then crawl because it was faster. "Look out Mom and Dad! Here I come!"

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

"BUTTON"

Ava's first word is button. For a couple weeks now she has been saying what sounded like "budha" and we couldn't figure it out. This week we realized it is "button". Ava loves buttons and zippers and I guess we said "button" enough times that she started repeated it.

11 Months

Ava is now 11 months old and is definitely not a baby anymore. She is starting to loose her baby chub and is turning into a lean, mean, toddler machine. Ava is still a quick crawler and has two speeds...fast and turbo. She has started to furniture walk a little, but I think she gets around by crawling so well she doesn't see the need to walk. I know when she is ready it won't take long because she is a determined little girl. I have already had dreams about her running around the house within a few minutes of learning to walk.

Ava is doing a good job of weaning herself from formula. We are slowly increasing her solids and she is adjusting by not wanted as much formula. She also tried whole milk this week and took to it fine. Ava really is easy going, so I hope weaning her from the bottle will go just as smooth.

Ava is learning new things all the time. We recently posted about her fishy kisses and she is babbling a lot. She talks to herself all the time and sometimes will even sing along with music. Ava likes to clap and say "yeah". This past week she also started signing milk and will clap or point when she wants more food. It is exciting to see these changes and also a little sad to see my baby girl disappear into a toddler.

Ava is the joy of our lives. We loved her from the moment we saw her and that love grows everyday. She makes us smile, laugh, and we are grateful for the gift of being her parents everyday.

Say bye, bye to cute baby chub. Ava keeps getting longer and leaner.

Ava singing and shaking her snot sucker maracas.
I love all of Ava's cute bedhead! This day she had bug antennas.

Ava loves to play with laundry baskets and laundry...clean, dirty, it doesn't matter.

Did I mention Ava loves to play with laundry??

Santa''s Workshop

Last night we visited Santa's workshop and Ava got to meet Santa. Ava was not has excited to meet Santa as we hoped, but she still got her picture taken with him.

Fishy Kisses

A couple of days ago Ava learned how to give fishy kisses. During breakfast I was making fishy lips and Ava thought it was funny. I could see her trying to imitate me and within a few minutes she was do it too. Now when we say "Fishy Kisses" Ava will pucker up like the cutest little fish you have ever seen.

What's that scratching sound?

Since the weather started getting cold we have heard an occasion scratching on the roof in the middle of the night. I was afraid that we had some kind of rodent in the atic. I crawled up there, but it was nice and empty. This last week the weather was much colder (It even snowed her last Monday), and the scratching was happening every night. Today I finally had an opportunity to investigate the source of the sound. Our house has a covering over the eves (you can see it in the pictures below). It makes it look nice. There is a problem with this covering. It creates a small tunnel under the eves, and it is not sealed off. There is an opening by our patio cover. Well I think I will let the pictues do the rest of the talking.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Last Sunday we put up and decorated our Christmas tree. We have many ornaments dating back to 1977 (the year I was born). Growing up each year I would get a new Hallmark ornament and when Rich joined the family he started getting one too. Now we have a large collection of ornaments ranging from Star Wars to Disney to Angels. This year Ava will get her first ornament.

Rich and Ava putting the first ornament on the tree.

The first ornament is of the nativity because that is the true meaning of Christmas.Ava and I putting some soft ornaments on the bottom for her to play with.
This is a collection of soft ornaments my grandma made for me when I was little. We put them on the bottom so if Ava gets them they won't hurt her or she won't destroy them.

After decorating we enjoyed some cookies and milk.

Ava likes to feed us. Sometimes she pretends she is going to feed us, but she will eat it herself and laugh.

We have a mommy down...Repeat, we have a mommy down

Last Thursday I injured my right shoulder. Unfortunately I wasn't doing anything cool like mountain climbing or sky diving to make the injury sound exciting. I was just putting Ava into her car seat and pop went my shoulder. It hurt pretty bad and I had a hard time lifting my arm to drive home.

At home while Ava napped I rested and thought maybe it would feel better. But, when I got Ava out of her crib it hurt and then I heard another pop as we walked down the hall. At this point I was in a good deal a pain and prayed Rich would hurry home, so he could examine me and help with Ava. Fortunately, Rich got done on time and was home within the hour.

I told Rich what happened and showed him where it hurt. I was scared because I know shoulder injuries can be bad news and at this point I thought maybe I tweaked it pretty bad. Rich diagnosed it as Impingement syndrome. Basically, this means a pulled muscle or tendinitis in my shoulder.

Ava helping me ice my shoulder.

On Friday I was blessed to have my mom come and help me with Ava so I didn't hurt it further. I enjoyed having a break from lifting my heavy little girl and Ava enjoyed having her Nona to snuggle. Ava also loved my mom's little dog, Jake. Thanks mom for your help!!Then this weekend Rich has taken over all lifting, carrying, and the transporting of Ava. He also was a big help with the ward Christmas party. I'm on the committee, but couldn't help with set-up so he did my share of the work. Rich is a wonderful husband and I'm glad he was so helpful this weekend.

I think not using my shoulder these past few days has helped. I still have some pain, but it is nothing like on Thursday. I plan to take it easy this week and use my left arm more. I have learned to not take my shoulder for granted because it makes showering, dressing, and combing my hair a whole lot easier.

Nap Head

Now that Ava's hair is getting longer and fuller it does some awesome things, but it is still too hard to control. Some of her best hairstyles come after a nap in her car seat.

Organic Parsley

SOMETIMES YOU GET A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH ORGANIC PRODUCE...

YUMMY EXTRA PROTEIN!

Family Photo

It's really hard to get all of us in a photo together, but somehow we were able to manage it here. Can you find us?

Chocolate Milk Mustache

I really like chocolate milk and drink it often with dinner. I decided I needed to enjoy it for the rest of the year and then start weening myself because I don't want Ava drinking it all the time (I want to be a good example). I won't give it up completely, but I won't be having it as much as I do now. I think once a week on a special day would be good...or maybe when Ava is napping.

This past week I was enjoying my chocolate milk and Ava was interested in it, so we gave her the last little sip. She loved it!! She got really excited and then pointed at it for more. When there wasn't any left she was upset and made her "I'm angry" grunting noise.

Then when the missionaries were here for dinner a couple of us had chocolate milk. Ava saw my glass and got really happy. She started pointing at it and made her "I want it now" sounds. It was pretty cute and funny, but not something we want to do everyday...maybe I'll start weening myself sooner.

Daddy giving Ava her first taste of chocolate milk heaven.

We use Hershey's syrup because it is the only real way to make chocolate milk...no powder in this home!!

Chocolate milk mustache
"That was good! Please give me more!"

"Hey! I said I wanted more!!"

Bella's Birthday

On Sunday, November 29th we were in Gridley to celebrate Bella's 4th birthday. We partied at Papa and Nona Bowling's with Bella's family and the Jensen's. Ava had fun seeing all her cousins and enjoyed part of a yummy cupcake (sorry we didn't take any pictures of that).

Birthday Girl

Bella requested white cupcakes with white frosting and sprinkles

Lily enjoying a chocolate cupcake

Before the party we went to church in Gridley. This is one of Ava's new dresses and we finally got her some church shoes.

Gratitude

Ava is grateful for:
*Loving parents (we hope)
*Luca
*Bread, Cheese, & Formula
*Noah's Ark toys
*Music

Lisa is grateful for:
*Ava- I love being a mom! Ava makes me happy everyday. Even on the hard days and late nights I love Ava and I'm grateful for the blessing of having a wonderful baby girl.

*Rich- I am fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful, kind, and loving husband. He takes good care of me and gives great foot and back rubs. Rich is also an awesome father. He loves Ava and it shows. He makes sure we are provided for and makes sure to spend quality time with Ava everyday. He is not afraid to change diapers or get up with Ava on the weekends. Rich puts his family first and has been a great example of service to me these past few years.

*Family- I have been blessed with loving parents who have giving me many opportunities in life. I'm grateful for their love and support. I also have a great brother and even though we are very different I know we will always love and support one another. I am also blessed to have married into a wonderful family. It is a big family and I love when we are all together laughing and having a good time. Sometimes it can be wild, but it is always fun.

*My warm shower- This past year I have really come to love my shower time. It is the only time I am completely alone. Sometimes I enjoy it too much and don't want to get out. I am glad we have plumbing and warm water.

*My camera- I love to take pictures. It is my way of being creative and seeing the beauty in the world. I especially enjoy taking pictures of Ava and I'm grateful to be able to capture the special moments that seem to go by too fast.

Rich is grateful for:

Lisa- I am lucky to have such a wonderful wife. She is the greatest Mom. I love to see her play with Ava. They are both so happy. Without Lisa's organization my life would be crazy. She does so much that there is not enough time or space here to list it.

Ava- I love to spend time with her. I am grateful for the chance that I get to give her her bath most nights. It may sound crazy but some of my favorite moments with her have been in the middle of the night. There is an indescribable feeling you get when you hold your crying child in the early morning and your arms are the one comfort that she needs.

My Job- I am grateful to have a job that I love. It is hard at times but I do love it. I have a boss who has faith in my skills and is supportive of me. I see many people without any job right now. They would be happy to have a job that they disliked. So I guess I am very lucky.

Thanksgiving

A few year's ago Rich and I started the tradition of staying home for Thanksgiving. We enjoy have a quiet and relaxing day without having to travel. We usually stay up late and then sleep in. This year I made a coffee cake for breakfast and then we enjoyed a late lunner (lunch-dinner). We had some friends over for food and then we all went to our other friends for pie.

We had our traditional feast: chicken, stuffing in the bird, spaghetti with meatballs, can shaped cranberry sauce, rolls, and mashed potatoes. We did add sauteed green beans with bacon and hazelnuts for a change. One of our friends brought jello and some snacks.

We made Ava her own plate and let her at it...well just for the picture. She grab the mashed potatoes and started playing with them and when she went for the spaghetti I decided it would be less messy if I helped her. She enjoyed the bread and stuffing the most.

"Who are you calling a turkey?"

Ava's first Thanksgiving meal