Under the Fall weather

You know that school is officially back in session when the family comes down the their first cold.

The lack of post this week is due to the fact that C and I have been fighting off something nasty.

Brooke, who I think was the one to bring this gift home to us, feels great. As does Dad who's has an immune system of steel (thank goodness).

Hopefully this weekend will bring more Fall weather and good health :)

The X

Yesterday I started the X.
P90 that is.

Gary started on his P90 journey about a week ago. I am not going to lie, I didn't think that he would actually get up every morning and do a hour long work out before heading into work. On the days that he didn't get his workout in before he left, he was down in the basement at night giving "no excuses."

Saturday I got to see some of my girlfriends for a bit before they headed out for a night on the town. Afterwards I decided that I better get my X in gear...and perhaps purchase some new cute clothes... (the disheveled mom looks only goes so far and I may be at my max).

Sunday a.m. I got to it. Let me just tell you, it was hard. I am doing the lean version and I was feeling it today. I am going to be contributing every Monday keeping myself in check until mid January. I am too private of a person to provide my exact weight, but I will let you know of a weight loss. My goal is ten pounds. We will see.

If any of you are on the X and have recipies...send them my way!

Lazy Sunday

This is what our mornings are like 

 

 And then it is time to play

Can you tell who's in charge in their relationship?

Surprise!!

Guess who's coming to Brooke's birthday party :)

We cannot wait!

Clean Up

After yesterdays thrilling post, I thought we could clean it up for Friday :)

So, sit back, relax and...if needed...enjoy a bottle.

Remind me why (especially with my girls birthdays and Christmas around the corner) I buy toys. Jumping off of furniture into a pile of welcoming pillows is just as fun as anything else..right!!

If anyone can tell me how I can bottle this up and give it away that would be great :)

Happy Weekend

:)

One Day we will Remember & Laugh....

*If potty stories in ANY WAY offend you, you may want to come back tomorrow :)

A Letter to my Daughters which will be read to them at the most appropriate time later on in life. Date and Appropriate time to be determined.

Brooke and Caroline,



Well ladies, you have officially disgusted me to the up most level. I do not think that there is much you could do to top this. If so, please refrain because I don't think that I could handle it.



Today, while you were playing so pleasantly downstairs, Brooke decided to tell me that I needed to clean her foot because, "it was disgusting." I was on the phone having a lovely chat with your Grandma Mary Anne when I had to abruptly ended our conversation. I saw that you had poop on your foot. Since you had just used the bathroom I couldn't believe this was occurring.



I ran over to where you had been sitting, Brooke. There I found more lovely poop that I was going to have the pleasure of cleaning up. All the while you were in my ear yelling for me to clean you up because, "it is SO DISGUSTING."



Tell me about it dear.



As I scanned the perimeter of the room, I saw that you sister Caroline was far enough away not to disturb the awfulness that laid there. I darted up the steps and grabbed my diaper bag that had wipes inside. I ran back downstairs in a mater of 7 seconds.



Who knew that Caroline was the fastest crawler in the mid west.



Within those 7 seconds, you my dear Caroline, had decided that what Brooke had left was a treasure...and one that should be tasted. Oh yea baby, you totally went for it...to my HORROR.



I immediately cleaned your mouth and everything surrounding the "situation." I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or gag. I may have done all three.



Then I remembered you, Brooke. Who was still crying (now loudly) for me to, "clean my REALLY GROSS foot!" Well, no offense love but my response was that, "the ONLY person that was allowed to cry right now is Caroline."



Caroline, I was totally feeling for you girl. Sometimes being the younger one is hard.



Into the tub you both went. And sorry Brooke, we will have to buy you a new toothbrush. Emergency called and Caroline had to borrow.



After a few phone calls to family and friends I was assured that a call to the doctor was not necessary. Thanks goodness. No one wants to have to explain THAT one to the doctor.



Thank you girls. You never fail to make my days and lives interesting. I hope that one day you too will find this as humorous as I am SURE I will :)



Love,



Mom

A Dream is a Wish

Lately, all we can talk about is princesses.

And, if we aren't talking like them, dressing like them or dancing like them...

We are singing like them.

You may need to turn it up a bit :)

DF

I totally got defriended on facebook.

As I was doing my nightly reading of updates on those people I haven't seen/talked to in 5 minutes, 2 weeks and/or 10 years, I noticed that one person who I had been able to 'check in on' I no longer had access to. What??

It is not a super close friend, but totally an acquaintance. What had I done to offend? Was this a mistake? Do I re-ask for friendship? Or, is that absolutely the pathetic move...

Maybe the real patheticness in all of this was that I actually spent a good ten minutes of my life being concerned with the possibilities of why we were no longer 'friends.' I mean when did we let this social networking rule our lives and create emotions that we would totally not be feeling if we hadn't signed up for this mindless source of entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I am not deleting accounts anytime soon...that would be crazy...but what I am going to do is get over the fact that maybe people I haven't talked to in ten years aren't too interested in my life (or me reading about theirs).

AND..if they are...they can read this blog :)

Trick or Treat

Guess what we are being for Halloween??!!

Best shot I could get of Brooke.

Apparently closing ones eyes when saying cheese is hysterical.

Dressing Up

Someone decided it was time to wear the tutu herself!

And, if your going to be looking all fabulous in a tutu, you might as well throw on a necklace and stand up!

She is oh.so.much fun.

STATS

Have you been sitting on the edge of your seat?? Checking your computer for updates??

No doubt I'm sure.

Caroline did great at her doctors appointment.

She only cried a few tears when she got her flu shot. She will thank me later, though.

She weighed it at 22 lbs, 6 oz. Actually a bit less then when she was weighed on Labor Day. I had taken her to Urgent Care for an ear infection and she was a solid 23 even. I honestly believe that she is on the move and evening out :)

She is 28.5 inches tall. No surprise there. I look at her and know that she is long!

22 lbs, 6 oz = 95%

28.5 inches = 85%

Perfect right??

And exhausted.

And just for fun....our ballerina Brooke.

She had a BLAST at class yesterday-didn't want to leave.

Shopping

Today, I was surprised to discover that my neighbors were having a garage sale. After the girls woke up, we strolled over to see if there was anything we 'needed.'

I was majorly disappointed to discover that they had a playhouse in brand new condition! It had only been used inside their finished basement. Brooke was in heaven.

It sold 5 minutes before we arrived. I am only glad that I didn't ask how little it went for.

I also missed out on this gem.

Seriously, my niece Lily would have flipped out.

She has a serious obsession with a cute little mermaid named Ariel. This beauty was going for $10 big ones (side note: after a quick Google...new ones sell for around $100 +!! Disney has quite a little cash cow in their princess paraphernalia huh??).

It too sold 5 minutes before I arrived. I think Brooke cried real tears as it was hauled away in someone else's mini van :)

What we did roll home with was this Disney princess tea set cart.

I was not really sold on this toy as a 'win.' Brooke, however, thought that she had won the lottery.

I told her that SHE could buy this herself (aka. bust open the piggy bank).

She decided that $5 was totally worth it :)

Her first purchase

:)

Weekend Wrap Up

Mom and Dad got to go out this weekend with friends-there will be no pictures shown.

What you do get to enjoy are Brooke & Caroline.

Who looks like the 'big' sister here?? I swear they will be the same height when Caroline hits two.

Carolina (as she is called around here) has her 9 month check up tomorrow-stay tuned for the much anticipated 'stats'.

Happy Weddng Shower Lynn :)

Today we hosted a shower for my cousin Lynn. She is getting married this Fall and we are SO happy for her! Everyone had a great time...a few pictures to share.

The amazing cake.

White and silver (the brides colors) with a light tribute to Disney (Lynn's-and her entire families-favorite vacation destination)

Brooke, flower girl to be, had a blast too :)

Can't wait for November!

Short & Sweet

Today I made my daily stop at Mobile to get my $.66 (including tax) caffeine fix. Imagine my surprise when the clerk informed me that I owed $1.02. What?? Disappoint set in when I had to put away my exact change and run my debit card for a measly dollar and change. Apparently the $.66 special on fountain drinks only runs through the summer. They will have new promotions through the winter months, though, to 'keep me excited.'

Yeah...that was a quote.

What is the exciting special you ask?? Car Wash's. A $10.00 car wash for only $4.00 (but only when the Rams win...). I am totally pumped. I love to get my car washed when it is raining, snowing, sleeting and the ground is covered in ice. Their marketing division is genius....

QT here I come...

Dance Class

Dance Class starts today-we are ready.

Watch for her new 'shake' move at the end :)

Poker Face

I know I have mentioned it before, but Brooke is a big Lady Ga Ga fan. I have her Aunt's Tracie & Maggie to thank for this obsession. I happen to have her mega hit Poker Face on a cd in my car. As soon as we get in the car now, it is immediately requested.

"Mom....a little Poka Face please??"

At times, yes, I do let her listen to her favorite jam. I am ok with it for the time being, since this is how she sings the words in the car.

Real Lyrics

"Can't read my, can't read my"
"No, he can't read my Poker Face"


Brooke's Lyrics

"Caroline, Caroline"
"Oh, Caroline....Poker Face"

She is dead on with her "p-p-pa poker face" though.

I will be heading to the store shortly to purchase Kidz Bop.

So long Sophie

Poor Caroline.

She had a rough labor day.

It started out with the loss of a new, dear friend...Sophie. While we were at a friends birthday party, Caroline must have dropped her buddy out of her stroller. Mom & Dad totally missed the drop and by the time we went back inside to find our new pal...she was gone. We checked out the entire building-even lost and found-but we think that someone found her and decided to keep her :(

We hope that she has a new friendly home.

I am not sure who was more upset...Caroline, me or Gary (when he saw me freaking out and I finally filled him in on how much she was. I had a coupon, though.)

After that drama we thought Labor Day weekend would be calm and relaxing. We had plans to go to Innsbrooke with my family on Monday. Gary was actually off work so we were excited!!

Caroline had other plans, though. She barely slept more then 30 minutes in her crib Sunday night. She was a snotty mess with a fever on the side. By this morning, I knew she was fighting off more then a cold. After a quick trip to Urgent Care we found out she had an ear infection. The good news, though, was that it was in its early stages so she will be on the mend soon :)

Here's to a short week!!

9 Months In & 9 Months Out

Welcome Caroline!!!

9 Months later


Still sweet...even cuter

Hard to believe friends, but Caroline is officially Nine Months. She has been out longer then she was in..and we couldn't love her more :)

So, what is Miss 3/4 of a year up to these days.....

Well, we all know that Ms. C is mobile and has been for sometime. She keeps us busy with crawling...standing...crawling up the stairs...scaring me that she will fall down the stairs...walking while holding onto furniture...and so on. Will she walk before Brooke's 10 month time frame? Maybe. But perhaps she will just crawl faster...she is an individual after all.

Caroline also likes her mealtimes. She has graduated from only pureed food to 'big' girl food too. She is a huge fan of Cheerios and/or Puffs (the kiddo food addiction of choice) as well as carrots, peas, green beans, noodles and bananas. She really isn't too picky.

She still loves the bottle. I wish that they made pacifiers that were identical to her bottles. I would purchase at least 24. If she could have ten bottles a day I think that she would. Too bad girly can only have four with a mere five oz each or she'll lose her lunch (thanks reflux).

We are still working on the 'sleep' thing. She heads to bed around 7:15-7:30 and stays asleep until around midnight or so. She usually wakes us up one to two times a night. Not for cuddling, not for a pacifier......but girl wants her bottle. Well, mom is tough and, well, I don't want to totally cave..so she still gets a mini-bottle at night. As soon as you hand it to her in her crib she is back to dreamland. If it works...it works.

Caroline has also been teething. Oh how I hate teething. I feel SO bad for them. I cannot imagine what is must feel like. I throw a fit when I have a simple toothache...but having multiple teeth come through my gums at the same time? Ouch. Caroline tends to react to teething much worse then Brooke did. It lasts for days and days with a full on running nose, low grade fever and rash by the mouth. I cannot wait until these top two are fully in and she is back to her happy girl self!

Now for her stats.

Nothing official as our 9 month appointment isn't until the 14th, but I did put her on our scale at home and she weighed in at 23 lbs. Not to shabby for the "I can't gain any weight" gal we brought home 9 whole months ago! I will update on her height and percentiles when we see the DR in a few weeks.

Three more months until we are ONE.

Blows.My.Mind

That also means that Christmas is only 113 days away...scary.