Blessed

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Julie

I think it is a blessing that I have few friends. Because those few friends are real, true friends. I can say anything to them, I can ask anything of them. One of them is Melissa. She lives in Oregon with her husband, Jeff. They have been married almost 2 years and are expecting their first baby. Melissa and I met at ACU in Nelson Dorm. I don’t even remember how we met it just seemed we were always friends. We made fun of people together, we had classes together, we ate bkfast, lunch, dinner together, we snuck out to go dancing together. (You were not allowed to go to those places at ACU.) We were roommates for the next 3 years and learned a lot about each other. Now we try to keep up and see each other every year, but this time it had been too long. Mel Mel came to meet Audrey and see our life in Nashville. We had a great weekend which included Blue Bird Cafe, Mellow Mushroom, Carnton House, Maniacs and even some lazy time at home. Thank you Mel Mel for visiting. Thank you for loving my kids like your own and not once grimacing at Megan’s screeching. Thank you for being comfortable enough to stay in PJs all day with me. Thank you for your friendship. I am blessed to call you my friend.

Happenings

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Julie

Just a few shots of the fun things going on around here. More pics in the Gallery.

Oma and her girls

I don’t know where Megan gets her personality

Probably the last snow of the season…I hope.

Don’t let this picture fool you, she really can’t sit this well in it.

Tooth Fairies

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Julie

1 down and … how many times do we have to do this? What started over 2 weeks ago with a little wiggle ended tonight as Alyssa’s first baby tooth literally fell out of her mouth. We have tried to get it out for the last several nights because her adult tooth is already coming in behind it. Let’s just say that she did not like the method that Ethan and I were using. The sessions usually ended with all of us frustrated, Alyssa crying and asking God to just take it out. I finally let it go and accepted that it would come out when it was time. Tonight we were reading books before bed and I asked her to just wiggle the tooth while we read. One book later she spits something out of her mouth and gasps as she realizes it is her tooth. Painless. She screamed, danced around, ran downstairs to show Daddy. She decided she wanted to take it to school before she left it for the tooth fairy. What is the going rate for teeth these days? I wish we were done but now the other bottom tooth is loose too. I think God made this into such an aggrevating experience so I would not recognize that my baby is growing up. She is loosing teeth…. really?

Nana and Papa

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Julie

It is always great to have my mom and dad visit. They were here for the weekend and the girls had a great time. So much that Megan was screaming at Nana as she was walking into the airport, “I need her back!” I loved the extra help and just spending time together. Audrey took her first trip to the park and we bowled again. Alyssa actually broke 100. See Megan’s first bowling video.

Happy Birthday

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Julie

I almost like celebrating Ethan’s birthday as much as I do the girls. I like to do the unexpected and help make a big deal out of his day. The girls and I made cards and decorated the foyer for his arrival. We had chocolate chip cookies and pizza and just enjoyed our family. Happy Birthday to our Daddy.

And the winner is…

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Julie

It is so cute that I am not thinking about the hassle of breaking her of this habit in 4 years. Lately, she has been talking herself to sleep. I lay her down and hang over the crib and watch her put her fist up to her mouth. She will try to suck on anything that she can get in, but the winner lately has been the thumb. I have had a finger sucker and a pacifier baby. It is really hard to say which is easier. The fingers are always there to help soothe with no interference from mommy, but then there is the habit that you can’t do anything about. We finally won with Thumb on Alyssa’s fingers when she was 4. The pacifier can be annoying to wash, keep up with, making sure she knows where it is. But Megan’s paci mysteriously “broke” at about 18 months old and we were done. Guess the vote may still be out on Audrey.

The little one

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Julie

Audrey is up to cute stuff now. She talks quite a bit when someone will pay attention to her. She kicks and squirms like she has ants in her pants, which is great to bounce herself in her bouncer. She was hitting her hanging animal from her bouncer seat (playing with may be stretching it). And she was caught sucking the two middle fingers on her hand. uh-oh. Of course, it didn’t matter that I took the stairs 4 at a time trying to get back up with the camera, I missed the picture. She has been chewing on her fist for awhile, but is still working out the decision between fingers, thumb or paci. Here is her cooing at almost 3 months. For fun, compare it to Alyssa’s cooing video. I think they look a little alike and I love that the same spider toy is in the background.

iAddicted

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Julie

This iPhone has been over-used since Ethan got it. We use it for movies on the airplane or restaurants, Alyssa practices math and other games and lately Megan has been enjoying it. She says, “I want play games.” Sometimes I feel that this little device is taking over our life, checking email just because you can, entertaining children and even acting as Ethan’s alarm clock. But it is a pretty awesome phone.

Here is Alyssa before school.

And here is smiley Audrey. She still has some feeding issues and constantly spits-up, but she is so darn cute. Were the others this cute??

“I not want go to circus”

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Julie

Well, she changed her mind when we got there, Megan that is. Ethan and I took the big girls (I love saying that) to Barnum & Bailey today. Heidi watched Audrey for us even though she had her two girls and is 9 months pregnant – THANKS Heidi! Everyone had a great time. They have done a great job with the circus since the last time I went. Alyssa liked the lady who spun around hanging by her hair and Megan liked anything having to do with the elephants. She continued to ask, “Where elephants go?” We filled up on popcorn and cotton candy and can’t wait to go back. They practiced being the ringmaster when we got home tonight. OUR VIDEO

Houston

Posted on January 24, 2009 by Julie

We took Audrey on her first trip to Houston. It was wonderful to have friends and family to share her with and to see everyone again. It had been too long. We enjoyed being with our friends and cousins, cheering Brad and Steve on in the marathon and a little Single Ladies dance-off. I also got a new camera for my birthday. It was a surprise in the car on the way to the airport. I have been wanting one that I can carry around easily but still takes great pics. It even does HD video, which I have enjoyed using. More pics under 2009:Trips