Lizzie's first pony ride (2006):
Lizzie's second pony ride (today):
Lizzie's second pony ride (today):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
We finally got out today . . .
and went to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
It was fun, but exhausting (for the adults). The picture below was taken like two seconds before that loorikeet peed all over my protruding belly. Nasty.
Lizzie had fun, but got all sassy and pouty when we left without buying ice cream.
And of course the rash/inflamed ant bites returned this evening (after being virtually un-spotable this morning).
It was fun, but exhausting (for the adults). The picture below was taken like two seconds before that loorikeet peed all over my protruding belly. Nasty.
Lizzie had fun, but got all sassy and pouty when we left without buying ice cream.
And of course the rash/inflamed ant bites returned this evening (after being virtually un-spotable this morning).
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rash?
Today while I was vacuuming out the van the girls played in the driveway and drew on the pictures with sidewalk chalk. I even caught them sitting side-by-side, eating apple slices. So cute. It was all lovely until I took the girls in for bath time and saw that Liz was covered in what appeared to be a nasty rash.
It's hard to see in the picture, but it was red and itchy and everywhere. We eventually determined that she was most likely bitten by fire ants. Lots of fire ants. Poor thing.
It's hard to see in the picture, but it was red and itchy and everywhere. We eventually determined that she was most likely bitten by fire ants. Lots of fire ants. Poor thing.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The trip so far . . .
I drove to South Carolina yesterday to see my mom. It wasn't exactly a last minute trip. I had been considering it for weeks, but I finally made the decision Saturday night. The trip down yesterday went well until just before my mom's exit when Alaina threw up all over herself. Nasty Chicken McNugget chunks everywhere. Yuck. She did it again around midnight which precipitated another round of laundry, baths, and teeth brushing. Poor baby.
Today she's been fine, and I've felt a little bit better (I have had a nasty cold), so I have actually been able to work on some projects (meaning my mother is sewing for me while I iron).
Today she's been fine, and I've felt a little bit better (I have had a nasty cold), so I have actually been able to work on some projects (meaning my mother is sewing for me while I iron).
Saturday, March 27, 2010
First Egg Hunt of the Season
Today we attended our first egg hunt of the Easter season (at church). And Lizzie lost another tooth. She ran up to me and said, indicating alternating hands, "Look. Here's my eggs and here's my tooth."
Like my father before us, Andrew and I declared a "candy tax" on Lizzie's collection. In the end the tax was unnecessary, because she didn't want to eat any of her loot (though she did lick a Milky Way before rejecting it).
It was Alaina's first egg hunt ever. She loved it. As she collected her eggs she chanted/sang "clean up, clean up." She also finally tried grapes and loved them.
There were art tables set up in the cultural hall and as usual Laina took the opportunity to color on herself. I think she looks like she's injecting something into her arm.
Like my father before us, Andrew and I declared a "candy tax" on Lizzie's collection. In the end the tax was unnecessary, because she didn't want to eat any of her loot (though she did lick a Milky Way before rejecting it).
It was Alaina's first egg hunt ever. She loved it. As she collected her eggs she chanted/sang "clean up, clean up." She also finally tried grapes and loved them.
There were art tables set up in the cultural hall and as usual Laina took the opportunity to color on herself. I think she looks like she's injecting something into her arm.
Final class
We're bummed that Lainey's "Blast Off for Babies" class ended yesterday, but . . . 
we sure had fun while it lasted!
we sure had fun while it lasted!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A Half Birthday Present
Today Lizzie lost her first tooth! At school. She was SO excited. She coughed, felt something on her tongue, and that was it. Her bottom tooth was out. No blood. It had been a very, very loose tooth. I had a hard time getting a gap-toothed picture of her, but in the one below you can kind of see that the remaining bottom tooth is also pretty loose.
Lizzie showed off her missing tooth to her friend, Jordan.
To celebrate the lost tooth (and coincidentally her half birthday) we took Lizzie out to eat at her current favorite, CiCi's.
At home Liz wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining that she lost her tooth (while playfully snapping the tooth box open and shut) in the van. She included our license plate number so the Tooth Fairy would know where to collect her bounty.
Lizzie showed off her missing tooth to her friend, Jordan.
To celebrate the lost tooth (and coincidentally her half birthday) we took Lizzie out to eat at her current favorite, CiCi's.
At home Liz wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy explaining that she lost her tooth (while playfully snapping the tooth box open and shut) in the van. She included our license plate number so the Tooth Fairy would know where to collect her bounty.
Lee Rec Center Park
We went to the park after school today. The weather was perfect for it and the girls had a wonderful time. I was surprised by how willing Alaina was to go on literally every slide--with company and without.
At the same age Liz was not as brave with the slides. She either wanted me to hold her hand as she went down or catch her at the end. Alaina apparently required neither. Though sometime I did have to remind her to sit down. She kept trying to walk down the slides. Inevitably her feet would slip out from underneath her, she'd fall on her bum, and slide down laughing the whole time.
At the same age Liz was not as brave with the slides. She either wanted me to hold her hand as she went down or catch her at the end. Alaina apparently required neither. Though sometime I did have to remind her to sit down. She kept trying to walk down the slides. Inevitably her feet would slip out from underneath her, she'd fall on her bum, and slide down laughing the whole time.
GS Cookies
Lizzie has enjoyed selling them and I've enjoyed eating them, but I'm glad Girl Scout cookie time is nearly over.Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dance Costumes
Liz her got recital costumes this week. They are super cute and Andrew is pleased that they are "seasonably appropriate" (he was annoyed that she was a Christmas reindeer in June last year). I can't wait to see her on stage. Hopefully childbirth does not conflict with the performance.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sick Day
How cute is this? I love the way kids look in their pajamas (especially when they are asleep) and it was sweet to see them sleeping together. The not so sweet part? They are both in my bed. It's pretty typical for one or both of them to end up in the early morning. Oh well. Someday I'll miss this, right?
I let Liz stay home last Friday because it was the second day she complained of a sore throat. I told her if she was sick enough to stay home, she was sick enough to go to the doctor and take a nap and she agreed to my terms. But before our appointment, Lizzie was actually pretty helpful. She and Alaina unloaded the dishwasher.
She helped Alaina at her "Blast off for Babies" class.
Lizzie built tunnels.
She also went on the slides with her little sister. She did not seem that sick after all.
We still had more time to kill before our doctor's appointment so we went to a playground and then to Krispy Kreme (because I was craving it--funny that I used to think donuts where disgusting, Krispy Kreme in particular).
Then it was on to the doctor who said Liz wasn't that sick after all. The visit was a bit unpleasant. Lizzie had to have a throat culture and it took three tries to get it because Liz kept turning her head and slapping the nurse's hand away. I finally had to hold her down. So embarrassing.
I let Liz stay home last Friday because it was the second day she complained of a sore throat. I told her if she was sick enough to stay home, she was sick enough to go to the doctor and take a nap and she agreed to my terms. But before our appointment, Lizzie was actually pretty helpful. She and Alaina unloaded the dishwasher.
She helped Alaina at her "Blast off for Babies" class.
Lizzie built tunnels.
She also went on the slides with her little sister. She did not seem that sick after all.
We still had more time to kill before our doctor's appointment so we went to a playground and then to Krispy Kreme (because I was craving it--funny that I used to think donuts where disgusting, Krispy Kreme in particular).
Then it was on to the doctor who said Liz wasn't that sick after all. The visit was a bit unpleasant. Lizzie had to have a throat culture and it took three tries to get it because Liz kept turning her head and slapping the nurse's hand away. I finally had to hold her down. So embarrassing. Since Liz wasn't very sick (possibly allergies) I took her to school, pretty much kicking and screaming. She even tried to refuse to walk into her classroom. Nice try. Obviously I let the sick day be too much fun.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
How I entertained Laines at the last pottery class:
MARKERS!
Andrew suggested that next time, I watch her closer.
Snack Time
Now that Alaina is able to climb up on our dining table chairs by herself I figured I let her take a turn at the table. She loved it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
St. Patrick's Day
I didn't have anything green to wear (that currently fits), so I painted my nails. Ahh, sandal weather.
I also didn't have festive shirts for the girls, but Alaina was able to wear Lizzie's from last year. Go figure.
Like last year Liz raced into our room, all excited about what the leprechauns might have left her and like last year, we weren't prepared. She raced from room to room looking for chocolate gold coins and was predictably disappointed when she didn't find any. Andrew explained that the leprechauns are not like Santa or the Easter Bunny who come at night. Leprechauns can come any time of day. While Liz was at school the little green men visited us leaving gold-wrapped chocolates (some ferrero rocher Andrew gave me a few days ago) and a box of Lucky Charms (I went to two stores and they were completely out of coins). Lizzie was particularly impressed with the cereal.
We continued my mother's tradition of green meals. 
We also added rainbow cupcakes (from Family Fun magazine). The girls loved helping with these though Alaina had a hard time taking turns.
Dinner menu: salad, cauliflower soup, & bread.
Alaina pretty much just ate the dressing off her salad. Liz, on the other hand, tried lettuce and cucumbers with minimal whining.
Dessert: rainbow cupcakes!
Liz felt bad for Alaina because Laines didn't get any whipped cream on her cupcake, so Lizzie gave her little sister a spoonful of the stuff. Needless to say Lainey liked it. 
I'm sure the additional sugar attributed to Laina's hyperness the rest of the evening.
Oh, and then Alaina topped off the night by pooping in the tub (green poo, naturally) during her second bath of the day. Awesome. Final tally: 3 baths for Alaina, 2 for Elizabeth, 1 for me.
I also didn't have festive shirts for the girls, but Alaina was able to wear Lizzie's from last year. Go figure.
Like last year Liz raced into our room, all excited about what the leprechauns might have left her and like last year, we weren't prepared. She raced from room to room looking for chocolate gold coins and was predictably disappointed when she didn't find any. Andrew explained that the leprechauns are not like Santa or the Easter Bunny who come at night. Leprechauns can come any time of day. While Liz was at school the little green men visited us leaving gold-wrapped chocolates (some ferrero rocher Andrew gave me a few days ago) and a box of Lucky Charms (I went to two stores and they were completely out of coins). Lizzie was particularly impressed with the cereal.
We continued my mother's tradition of green meals. 
We also added rainbow cupcakes (from Family Fun magazine). The girls loved helping with these though Alaina had a hard time taking turns.
Dinner menu: salad, cauliflower soup, & bread.
Alaina pretty much just ate the dressing off her salad. Liz, on the other hand, tried lettuce and cucumbers with minimal whining.
Dessert: rainbow cupcakes!
Liz felt bad for Alaina because Laines didn't get any whipped cream on her cupcake, so Lizzie gave her little sister a spoonful of the stuff. Needless to say Lainey liked it. 
I'm sure the additional sugar attributed to Laina's hyperness the rest of the evening.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Music
Instead of the usual Sandra Boyton or Junie B Jones, I've been playing my music in the van lately. Mostly just one mix CD. I'm glad Liz likes it, but sometimes it is kind of weird to hear her singing grown up lyrics like "blood makes noise . . . " (by Mary's Danish). The other day we heard her singing, "all the single ladies, all the single ladies" under her breath. Drew turned to me and was like, since when does she listen to Beyonce? Lizzie's current favorite is "My Sharona" by the Clash. I think we listened to it 10 times yesterday.
Daylight Savings
The time change is killing me. Yesterday we all slept in till 8:10--in large part because we changed every clock in the house, except the one in our bedroom. Oops. We need to leave around 8:20 to get Liz to school on time, but somehow we made it.
Things went slightly better this morning though it took three tries to wake up Liz (it finally worked when Drew lifted her out of bed). I wish it was the weekend and we could actually take advantage of the sleepy kids and sleep in ourselves.
Things went slightly better this morning though it took three tries to wake up Liz (it finally worked when Drew lifted her out of bed). I wish it was the weekend and we could actually take advantage of the sleepy kids and sleep in ourselves.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Last week . . .
Lainey turned 18 months! She's still little. At 21 pounds and 13.something ounces she's in the 15% for weight (15% for height as well). She has started walking up stairs instead of crawling up. She is still a "good eater" (had a bowl of hummus for lunch last week). She pinches us when she is upset (she actually did it to herself when she was in the hospital). She answers "no" to nearly every question.
She started nursery with no incident. Actually, her first day in nursery was in another ward with complete strangers. She didn't cry at all, just happily waved goodbye when I left. When I picked her up the workers said she did wonderfully. I hope it's the same this Sunday in our ward.
Alaina asked me to put two dress-up skirts on her, and then wore them all day long. It was adorable.
She started nursery with no incident. Actually, her first day in nursery was in another ward with complete strangers. She didn't cry at all, just happily waved goodbye when I left. When I picked her up the workers said she did wonderfully. I hope it's the same this Sunday in our ward.
Alaina asked me to put two dress-up skirts on her, and then wore them all day long. It was adorable.
Lizzie used a hammer for the first time. She made a "rain gauge" at Home Depot's monthly kid's workshop.
Alaina enjoyed her class in the soft play room, as usual. Mostly she likes the slides and tunnels. She's not a big fan of the ball pit.
Lizzie celebrated her 100th day of school and I celebrated hitting my 100-prego-days-to-go mark. Hurray! Now my countdown is in the double digits.
Alaina had her first experience with Play Dough. She also ate pistachios for the first time (and loved them).
Liz tried to keep us (her parents) out of her room. She made a point of putting the sign at our eye level.
Alaina enjoyed multiple visits to a local bounce house (two were for Lizzie's friend's birthday parties--same day, same place, almost same time).
Liz went to the bounce house too. She just moved too fast for pictures (and for Andrew too--she beat him down the slide).
I let Alaina have a cupcake at one of the parties. Of course she made a mess, and of course Andrew was annoyed. In the following picture he is demonstrating his frustrated face.
And, we said goodbye (more of a "see you later") to our good friends, the Lines. We miss them already.
Alaina enjoyed her class in the soft play room, as usual. Mostly she likes the slides and tunnels. She's not a big fan of the ball pit.
Lizzie celebrated her 100th day of school and I celebrated hitting my 100-prego-days-to-go mark. Hurray! Now my countdown is in the double digits.
Alaina had her first experience with Play Dough. She also ate pistachios for the first time (and loved them).
Liz tried to keep us (her parents) out of her room. She made a point of putting the sign at our eye level.
Alaina enjoyed multiple visits to a local bounce house (two were for Lizzie's friend's birthday parties--same day, same place, almost same time).
Liz went to the bounce house too. She just moved too fast for pictures (and for Andrew too--she beat him down the slide).
I let Alaina have a cupcake at one of the parties. Of course she made a mess, and of course Andrew was annoyed. In the following picture he is demonstrating his frustrated face.
And, we said goodbye (more of a "see you later") to our good friends, the Lines. We miss them already.
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