CHILI IS GOOD!

Pigtails!

My friend Staci brought Kaelyn out of the house a couple weeks ago with pigtails in her hair, I hadn't realized how long her hair was until then.











It looks adorable whenever she wears them but sad to me as well because she looks like such a big girl. :)

Weekend Fun in the Sun!

Here is our new pool- we LOVE it! Thanks Grammy!

Chile

Hey Stace when do we get a post about all your adventures? What you did, ate, how much you slept being kid free! Wanting to hear.......

Happy Parent's Day!

That's right today is National Parent's Day honoring all the hard work that goes into parenting. So give yourself a pat on the back and have that extra cup of coffee while the kids run screaming. You deserve it!!

What they Learned to do Today

E & K learned how to....

Climb on top of the huge foot rest we have blocking off the t.v and then reach the remotes/pictures/DVDs

Climb on top of the chair in their bedroom and then on top of the toy box

Open the dishwasher when it's closed and climb on top of it

How to scale their highchairs

This is no exaggeration! These are all things they couldn't do yesterday and it's only 6pm!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Summer Park Fun

We love to swing!!! WEEEE!

This is them running up a hill, it was obviously funnier looking in person then via camera

THREE YEARS!!!

Well, today is the day- three years ago- that I got pregnant with Abigail! That means I have been pregnant and/or breast-feeding for three years. That seems like a long time to me. Andy and I were out to eat last night and reflected on how much has happened in our life in the last three years. It's crazy!

First Tantrum in Public

So yesterday we had our first full blown tantrum in public courtesy of Miss Elyse. But to her defense it was 1:30 and they hadn't had a nap yet and we had spent a long day already at the zoo. She had my cell phone and was riding in the wagon and when I took it away when we next stopped she let it rip. The funny part is she was calling for DADA because thats what they say when they see the phone. So we were in an indoor play area and she is screaming arching and flinging while yelling DADA in a very sad voice.

Tally

Have you stopped counting for Vegas or am I just losing it? It seems like it's been 58 days for like five days...

Things That Can Happen When Mom Leaves for Just 12 Days

Noah lost a tooth and shaved off part of an eyebrow.
Juan got 4 stitches in his head.
Ruby walked.

Winds of Change

I remember when Abigail was 9 months to 12 months, she changed so much everyday. She began to walk, talk, feed herself, etc, etc. She transformed during those three months. Now it is happening again. She is 2 years & 3 months and she is transforming before our eyes again. She is talking in sentences, grasping concepts, learning to count to ten, etc. Also during this time Andrew J. is in that 9-12 month time when he is changing and developing everyday also. He is becoming aware of his body like 'one, what is this (his leg)' as he pinches himself, he points and is starting to wave, he gives kisses, etc. Our life has been so full of change and we are now settling in. As we are gaining stability we are also noticing so many things about the kids development. It's amazing really. It makes me feel proud and sad, content and anxious all at the same time. Oh the heart of a mother...

When Mom's Away

I got an e-mail two nights ago that Juan had a freak accident. He wasn't playing wild or anything, but he fell against a table, cut his head and had to go get 4 stitches! You can imagine how I felt being a whole world away. That was the first moment on this trip that I felt like I wanted to go home. I know these things happen though, it will be a great story, and there's no one I'd rather have my kids with in the midst of a crisis.

Back in Business!

Okay! I am back online so I will update with a few posts! Happy reading! :)

Fun Fourth!

We had an uneventful fourth. Andy and I cleaned the new house that morning because that's when we got the keys. My mom and her husband hung out with our kids. Then that evening we went to Andy's brother and sister-in-laws house for dinner. It's so fun to live close to them (about half hour away)! Anyway here's A & A on Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kristina's back deck!

Cute Pig-Tails!

Abigail has enough hair for pig-tails and a little whale spout (that's what we call it) on the top of her head now! It's so much fun to fix her hair everyday! She looks like such a big girl! :)

Hungry Little Boy!

Andrew J. has been eating more and more. This is his typical breakfast, one scrambled egg with cheese, a quarter of a belgin waffle, and some fruit! Maybe that's not a lot compared to other kids but it sure seems like a lot to us for a nine month old to eat!

Hormones

Everything seems so hard....your house is always a mess, your kids are driving you crazy, hubby is a little annoying :) you feel like your failing and then.....you start your period and realize its all ok.

Kiddie Parade

This was our first time in the Kiddie parade, we had a blast and I think it will become a new tradition.

The huge crowd that was in the parade.

Kaelyn and Elyse riding along the route.

Our decked out wagon and trailer, we had a bubble machine blowing bubbles out the back.

All in red, white, and blue! Cheese!

AHHHHH!!!!

I know I know I know that toddlers become finicky eaters. I know they'll eat when they are hungry. I know this wont last forever but right now I'm losing it! For the last two days it seems llike neither of them will eat! Kaelyn is living on hummus! Ahhh!!! I also know this is more my issue then theirs, ugh!

Hola de Chile!

Hey gals! I am safely here in Chile. It's beautiful. I am currently in an apartment on the top floor right in front of the ocean. I can actually hear the waves crashing. It's amazing. I have to say it's funny how parenting changes travel (and the kids don't even have to be along). I am enjoying myself: the views, smells, sounds, food, YET I'm worried that Ruby isn't sleeping for Barb, I'm hoping Juan doesn't feel abandoned (I know Noah is fine - having the time of his life actually). I was only nursing Ruby every couple days mainly just when I was desperate, and yet I am fully aware that my boobs are fairly full of milk. I feel sharp pangs of guilt right along side my excitement at being in another country. Oh, the complexities of Motherhood.

Busy Bloggers

Well it seems I'm the only Blogger with time on my hands. I talked to Stacy today while she was awaiting a connecting flight, we may hear from her once or twice while she is away if she can get Internet access. Rachel is busy moving into their new grandiose home :) and is cleaning and prepping for the movers. So it's just little old me for now so anyone out there please make sure to leave some comments so I don't feel alone!!!

Happy 4th of July! Happy Independence Day!

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." --

Samuel Adams


I am always overwhelmed when I think of the price that has been paid for us and for our Country.

Looking Back a Year

I can't believe the girls are 18 months old today! It is amazing how much they change, I know we all know it in our heads but it has been hitting my heart more and more how fast they are growing. It helps me to increase my patience at times because I know this stage will end soon the hard parts but the oh so sweet parts as well.

Kaelyn at 6 months

Kaelyn at 18 months

Elyse at 6 months

Elyse at 18 months

Where's Stacy?

Girls, I have been out of town and will leave tomorrow for SD and then Chile, so I'll check the blog when I can, but it won't be much for the next couple of weeks. Love ya!

Wordless Wednesday

Grabbed cucumbers out of the fridge at Grandmas and went to town!

Andrew J's Busy Work!

Look out Elyse, AJ's giving you a run for your money at the dishwasher game! I was busy making dinner tonight and Andy was out the back door with the kids. AJ slipped back in and here is what he had in mind to occupy his time until dinner! I know he's mine but man he'd cute!

Ouch my back!

On Sunday I was throwing Kaelyn in the air during the worship service and on the 3rd toss I felt something pull in my back. My first thought was "oh crap!". If you remember J man was bending down to pick Kaelyn up when he pulled something and ended up being lifted down the stairs of our third floor apartment by a truck full of firemen and taken to the ER!! Mine did not turn out to be anything so serious but I was hurtin on Sunday, pretty sore on Monday and just finally recovering today. More then anything I hate not being able to just grab the girls at will and not being able to workout!!! One funny incident through the back trial was when J was trying to get me onto the bed and I was yelling and crying because it truly did hurt when all of a sudden I felt these little teeth bite my big toe! Guess Elyse thought she would take my mind off my pain and it actually did work because I started laughing really hard, the whole situation just struck me as hilarious. Anyway because of all this I feel like I've been MIA when it comes to the blog, but I know all of us have had a couple busy days thus having a lonely blog. But don't fear blog we will all be back in action soon!