And here's just one to remember how cute she really is...as if you could forget?

EVIDENCE

Okay...so in case you didn't believe me here are some pictures of our sad, sad girl. I kept thinking the chicken pox was no big deal, but her fever went up to 103 several times, she is not eating well, and she is an itching machine. Luckily, today we are over the worst of it and scabbed up. We think the all clear for Dada to return tomorrow is still a go. We really miss him :(

A Pox Upon Our House
So last night in the bathtub I discovered some evidence of chicken pox on Lizzy's torso...so I guess the precautions for Matt's health were warranted. And Ty don't worry...Lizzy wasn't contagious when we saw you so with the vaccine you should stay just as cute and pox free.

Matt can come home in about a week, which is what we were hoping for anyway, so it seems to be working out a little. If you consider missing Christmas and living apart for three weeks working out...I guess my point of view is always changing:)

This is a repeat for those of you who check Ty's blog too, but Lizzy and Ty finally got to "play" together. I think that Lizzy finally met her match. There was a stare-down at one point that would have put some Wild West cowboys to shame. Ty won, and Lizzy was finally humbled.

Well...the Kwiatkowskis had a pretty lousy Christmas. Lizzy was exposed to chickenpox at her daycare, and because Daddy can't get it he has been living at his mom and dad's house for a week. Which means...no family Christmas for us. Lizzy did go to her Great Grandma's house for Christmas, but we have postponed all of her gift opening until Daddy can come.

Not many people can pull of this outfit, but we think Lizzy can do it.

Lizzy had a big week. On Monday she and Kim (our daycare provider) went the dollar store. Lizzy went in a normal girl, but she came out a princess:)

On Thursday, Lizzy had a Christmas cookie party. She was so excited the Bo, Sam, Ione, Cam, and Evan could all come to her party. We had a GREAT time!

Some friends of ours came over today to look at our house...they are thinking of buying it. So in the middle of last minute cleaning, Lizzy decided to pitch in. Truthfully, she does this everytime I clean. I think she has a tad bit of OCD like her mommy :)

Last night was the Christmas celebration downtown. Again this year Matt was a "wise man". I guess he is pretty smart because he seems to like me and Lizzy :)

Also, Lizzy got to meet Santa Claus which because this is Valpo was my high school student council sponsor's husband. I know that sounds like no one close to us, but it was again fun to walk around and feel at home. Lizzy like Santa for about 30 seconds. Then she seemed to realize that she was with someone she didn't know...then the tears which were not captured on film.

We had fun this weekend at Colin's (our nephew) birthday party. The fun began when we found Dianne locked in her own car. We decided to take a picture first before we let her out. Lizzy loved the video games and spending time with her cousins.

Happy 5th Birthday Colin!!!

Lizzy celebrated her first Thanksgiving this weekend. We were so excited to have her with us this year. She loved seeing everyone, and she even got involved in the yelling at Grandma O'Connor's house. Who knew Mommy's relatives were loud :)

Lizzy had a fun weekend. She got to see two of her Great-Grandmas, and she got to spend Sunday morning playing with her cousins.

I know that I have been taking my time in posting some things, but here are some recent pictures of Lizzy. As you can see, she is a very busy girl, and occasionally she doesn't have time for blogging.

Here are some pictures of Lizzy at County Line Orchard on Saturday afternoon. As usual, she loved the animals, and her teething process has slowed down, so we all had a better time than last week. My favorite part of the trip involved Lizzy and the rake. At the orchard they have a small area for children her age. Lizzy sat there for awhile raking the hay back and forth. Two children (older) tried to take the rake from Lizzy. The first time, like all mothers, I stepped in and told the child that Lizzy was playing with. The second time I realized that my help was not necessary. Lizzy saw the girl, put a firmer grip on the rake, and stared at her with her furrowed brow. The two girls had a "Wild West" style stare down, and Elizabeth won. It was then that Matt and I realized that we probably don't need to worry about Lizzy taking care of herself in the world. We thought her strong opinions were just with us, but our Elizabeth seems to know what she deserves:respect.

Lizzy and her new favorite toy. We forsee some problems in middle school.

Lizzy, Cat, and Leslie at dinner to get ready for the big race.

Lizzy and Karen wondering...where is Leslie?

YEAH...Here come the runners.

And here is Lizzy once she had had enough of the race. Luckily there were five adults to take the many trips that Lizzy wanted to go on :)

This weekend Lizzy was a city girl as she headed to the Chi to cheer on our friend Leslie in the Chicago Marathon! Lizzy liked watching the race for about twenty minutes. The combination of teething again (this will make 10) and not moving made it a long time for Mommy and Daddy too. Lizzy did have fun on Saturday at a fancy Italian restaurant and at the zoo and Nature Museum.



Also...Lizzy is officially walking. She started on Wednesday moving from quick trips between furniture to just walking around the house. It is amazing to see her go, and she literally wants to walk all day long.

Here is a video I have been trying to post for about a month. Here is Little Miss Chatterbox having a very deep conversation with her Aunt Christi and commanding the dogs by yelling "hey".

Lizzy is reinventing Dance Dance Dance Revolution :)

Lizzy was Daddy's biggest supporter at this year's Leukemia walk. Daddy was the honored hero, and Lizzy agreed with their choice!

We took Lizzy to the tractor show this weekend, but was she liked most was the grass.

Lizzy is walking more at home, and Little Miss Indepedent wants to walk EVERYWHERE.

Lizzy and Daddy on the merry-go-round. She loves it. She screams at the horses and "moo's". We believe this is because she thinks all animals are cows.