First "Baby"

Before there was a Brooke & Caroline in our family, Gary and I had another 'baby' by the name of Bella. We were in college and foolishly believed that adopting a puppy would not only be a great idea...but also super fun and easy (not to mention how romantic I thought this was...). Bella ruled our world until October 25th when Brooke came home. Ever since then, Bella has had to take a back seat...and moved even further back in December of 2009 when Caroline joined the fam.

Bella is now known for being world's best dog. She doesn't tend to hold her bladder as she should, she barks at everything she sees outside and she jumps up all over you when you walk in the door. She is our dog, though and deep down we love her very much.

Lately Bella has been sick. It started out as possible bug bites and has now become an gastrointestinal infection. I had to rush her (and 4 children under the age of 5) to the vet Thursday after she quit eating and drinking and started to get sick. After determining that it was, most likely, just an infection, we were given antibiotics, anti-nausea pills and a bland diet to follow for days. While I do believe that she is getting better, she still doesn't seem like herself. She is still a bit lethargic and very, very quiet.

 

While I do believe that the vet is right and that it will just take her a few days to get over this bug, I realized that day that Bella getting older is going to affect more then just Gary and me. Back seat or not, she has a firm place in our family and our kids love her. Brooke asked that day if Bella was going to be ok...and if I would be bringing her home. It broke my heart to think that one day Bella might not be able to come home. What would I say?

For now I will just think about Bella getting back to her loud and overly excited self. I am not going to think about the 'what if's' (which is really hard for me...if you know me at all).



Get better soon Bella :)

Terrible Two's??

She may look sweet...but boy oh boy can she scream!

I have a feeling that sweet little Caroline may be entering the 'terrible two's' at 19 months. The last few days, Caroline will just start screaming and crying for no apparent reason. Example: I made her breakfast this morning. Scrambled eggs and some pineapple. She was SO excited as I was getting it ready for her! As soon as I put it down in front of her, though, she lost her mind. Apparently, I am NOT allowed to assist her in any way. She wanted to get it off the counter and place it at her selected seat at the table. 

Sorry I tried! 

:)

I guess our 'baby' isn't really a baby anymore. When she sees Brooke (or her cousins) do anything...she has to do the exact same thing. This tends to freak me out most of the time....like when she is climbing to the top of the swing set with no parent around. Maybe I am overprotective. Maybe I just want her to stay the baby a little bit longer. Either way...Caroline is over being the baby in the fam and is officially a big girl...with her own big girl temper. 

I looked back on some pics today of when Brooke was Carolines age. It really doesn't seem that long ago at all. So, just like with every phase they go through...I am sure this will pass quickly too. 

I hope. 

Just for fun....

  Brooke at 19 months...with the dreaded pow.

Lily at 19 months...in interesting beach wear

and the current 19 (almost) month old :)

Summer Dance

Today was the first day of summer dance class.

Brooke loved it. I could tell she had missed it.

This was Lily's first time doing dance and I think she was a bit more interested in checking herself out in the mirror...at every angle...then actually dancing. I think she will enjoy it even more next week when she is more used to the class :)

Jack & Caroline were a little bummed they were not in the class...so I made sure to take some pictures with them pre-dance.

Standard "Pose Off"

 

Group Shot!!

Family Reunion....Buchheit Style

BUCHHEITS

This weekend, we a Buchheit family reunion-the first that the Fleming family has attended.

We had a great time...and I think mom was feeling pretty BA with all those "You are now entering Buchheit Country" signs around every corner....and I mean EVERY corner.

Matching t-shirts are awesome.

(www.justmeapparel.com For all your family reunion needs!)

Dinosaur poses are awesome too.

There were self imposed contests.

Pie eating, wheel barrow racing and the classic hula hoop competition.

Let it be noted that I still ROCK the hula hoop.

Even mom got in on the fun!
Totally awkward hula hooper though...

See those cows in the distance?? Kids love cows.

Ending the day with a classic family photo...with a little Lily on the side.

........

I have the best time when I am out with my friends....but it is super sweet to return to these girlys...

Happy Summer

PS-Can you belive it is almost July???

Mom(s) Night Out

This past weekend, I headed to Chicago to celebrate my friend Bethany's 30th birthday. I cannot believe that so many of us are turning 30 this year...and that I am next. We had a FABULOUS time.

We had dinner at Sabor Saveur where I tasted the fruit of the cacti. We then headed to a local hot spot Innjoy where I danced like it was 2001. Total blast.

Thanks to Bethany for hosting us and showing us such a GREAT time! I think that I need to make more frequent visits.

Weddings cont...

Last weekend we had another Fleming family wedding-this time on Grandma Mary Anne's side. We couldn't make it to the actual ceremony due to Brooke's recital, but the girls were rearing to go for the reception!! All they could think about was dancing. The second we got there, Brooke was asking when the music would start.

Things have really changed for us 'adults' at weddings these days. Whereas we used to enjoy cocktails and conversation, we are now dance partners for our daughters...where they run the show and we wouldn't have it any other way :)

Brooke was quite the 'big girl' at this wedding. Maybe she was still on a dance high from earlier in the day. She even requested songs for the DJ to play (Katie Perry: Fireworks...of course).

A Happy Family picture..except totally not our family :)
Hanging with cousin (soon to be DR) Mike!

Kiddie Cocktails are the BEST!

Caroline really came to play that night. She entered her first dance circle (you know-the standard ones at weddings) and broke it down with a bridesmaid. She finished by high fiving everyone in the circle and was given mad applause. I couldn't be prouder :)

And we are not done yet! Another wedding to come in July!

PS-Yes, we were the same dresses to EVERY wedding. They are monogrammed and I will get my use out of them!