This IS the Good Life!

And I don't mean like Nebraska claims to be the "goodlife" this really IS the good life. We've had a few more Tuesday playdates recently. Chase last week (in the jeep) and Trevyn this (finger-painting). It's been fun having boys around...between those boys and Colin, whom we've babysat frequently of late, Ella's gotten lots of "boy" style play recently.
Went swimming last night with a whole slew of friends...Abby, Addie, Ally....geesh, looks like we place the "A" in the wrong place in L's name!!! Lots of fun though. As far as goings on around here that's about it. Been pretty quiet with lots of play. Ella has informed us that she will be dressing as Annie for Halloween this year. We'll see if it holds up in 8 months.
Mia is becoming a talker quickly. She's now willing to repeat pretty much anything...however her most common phrases are "where Ella?", and "Where Matthew" (which sounds a lot like mat-new). We abandoned the active potty training after about a week, as I had figured we would. She's quite the holder, but not so much the "goer!" Since then she's peed and/or pooped in the potty four times on request.
As quiet as it's been lately we'll be returning to full speed soon....Chris is having a poker night at hte cabin with the boys this weeknd so the girls nad I will tag along and spend the weekend with friends in Lincoln, while hopefully catching the Knights in the title game of the state basketball championship. Then Chris has a conference scheduled in Chicago at the end of the week so we're taking advantage and spending the weekend prior in Racine visitng (and a gymnastics party for the girls!). Then the two of us will spend a few nights in Chi-town while the girls stay with Granny and Grandpa.
The following weekend I will be in L-town again for Jaime baby showers! Yay fun. Haven't decided if the girls will be spending the weekend with dad or giving him the weekend off in favor a weekend with nana and papa.....if the g-parents have a say we all know which that will be!!!!

Just a few extra pictutres to share....Mia "stretching" like dad...and then some with Alleyna. The girls LOVE to sit on the stool together!!!

Poop and Puke

So I've embarked on the journey that is potty training....even if Mia is a bit young. She loves to sit on the potty and we had a pretty home bound week planned so I figured we'd go for broke. Dropped the diapers (save nap and bedtime) and switched to thick panties with a vinyl cover. And when I discovered she's a "holder" (only pees a few times a day) I thought I could deal with it at least for a week or so before deciding to can it and try again in a month. Ella was peeing every 20 mintues or so when we trained her, so this wet pants a few times a day thing seems like cake!!!

I continue to be amazed how dislike her sister Mia is. And I'm grateful for it....mostly cause it helps me realize that I don't control their destiny or abilities and helps me to relinquish control and responsibility. They are their own independent people and while I get the chance to help shape their lives they have their own beings underneath it all.

Aside from the expected poop on the floor and in her panties Mia has awoken covered in poop twice in the last three days. All in all she's taken three "poop" showers in the tub. She's not a big fan but seems to have come to terms with it. As for me....I'm just glad dad got me new shower heads for Christmas...the hose has been of much use!

Ella woke up complaining of a headache, then belly ache at 3:45 yesterday morning before I fully awoke to the splashing of puke on my bed/floor. Thank God for the wood floors! She heaved a good 7 or 8 times before it was over, more than I would have imagined she could contain in her little body. But when it was over she patiently and obediently got cleaned up and changed before crawling into my bed, watching a little tv then drifting back to sleep. She never complained again and never threw up again. I was glad to have skipped out on the throw up flu that has plagued our town this year, having seemingly traded it for a one-time event. She was pretty lethargic all morning and took a good strong 3 hour nap. But I threw her in the bath in the late afternoon and she perked up enough to go to Cubbies and was laughing and singing all the while. I can't believe how "mature" she's becomming. I say this with obvious relativity, but I am able now to put her to bed and if she isn't quite ready to sleep she turns on her lights and reads books before putting them away, turning out hte light nad snuggling in to go to sleep. All without any prompting from me.

I'm totally taken by both of my girls every day. Alleyna is with us this morning and she got into a little mischief while Mia tried to pee on the potty and I checked a few chores off my list....

it's not my fault!!!

I would blog more often but I've been effectively lured onto facebook. the greatest productivity sucker since, well, since blogging! :) I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I'm fully addicted to facebook, but it's true.

The fam is doing well. We've been home mostly since my last stop on blogger. We've had another preschool friend over for a playdate, this time Morgan. It was the Thursday after Brooklyn had come to play and Ella stops Morgan on the way out of school and says 'Morgan! We're gonna have you over for a playdate. OK!' and my fate was sealed! We've had about a week of great weather (yes we consider high 30's lower 40's great weather around here), so have been outside taking walks and jumping in snow puddles a lot lately. Since doing so, Mia won't let me carry her anymore. Needless to say our "in-transit" time has increased greatly, but I'm glad she's becoming independent, and she's a funny little thing.

Last weekend seemed to be "movie" weekend. Friday night wsa movies with the girls and Tesdahls (minus Jim). We watched a quick veggietales movie so Mia could take part, then put her to bed and let the big girls (and Matthew) watch Annie - which, it turns out was more for Heidi and I than the kids! Movie night is tons of fun...we only do it every few months, but the bowl of popcorn and sleeping bags seem to completely set it apart from our usual tv time at night and Ella loves it. Mia and Matthew weren't such great watchers, but the big girls put up with it well enough. We've been watching Annie every night since - which makes for a happy mom...I love Annie!

Saturday night was for Chris and I. I ran the redbox at McDonald's (greatest invention ever!) and picked up Traitor and Wanted. We both really enjoyed Traitor....and Wanted as well, although the latter was a little gory for me. Still good action and the like.

I've finally gotten smart and have implemented midday routine for the kids around here. We've been doing so much babysitting that it seemed like the smart thing to do and I can't for the life of me figure out why I didn't do it sooner....like the day Ella was born. We have lunch then play for a while (we try to go outside, as I've found fresh air makes for better nappers) before coming inside for a quick pick-up (poor Ella winds up doing most of the work with me while the babies ruin it all! but they are getting better). Then we sing and dance to a few songs, everyone gets to pick a book for a quick story time and it's off to nap time for the babies. Best of all is that it has made Ella completely compliant regarding having a quiet time. I think it's very good for her, and VERY good for me. I've committed to taking a break myself during this time, and instead of cleaning/laundry/etc the entire time I run through and do a quick pick up of what is left, wash dishes quick if needed, etc. then sit down at the table (or in this case the computer) and read a magazine or do the crossword in the paper....or both - our local paper can be read and crossworded in less than ten minutes. we're all thriving for it.

Ella's gymnastics club has opened a new class an hour earlier which we have moved to. It allows for us to go to tumbling and still get home to have some sort of a family dinner, and the class is much smaller (on account of the five o'clock start time, not everyone can get their kids there that early). Addie joined this week too which is lots of fun, and with the smaller class they're able to get more individual attention and try some more skillful stunts. I think it's great.

Valentine's party at Ella's preschool this morning - it was P week, so the v-day party was a pajama party. So fun. We got a Valentine's present in the mail from Granny and Grandpa yesterday - with new heart comfies in it just in time! Ella and Mia are both in them for the duration of the day today.

Mia has become quite a talker, although my attempts at potty training aren't taking so well. We'll get there though....she likes to sit on the potty, but can't figure out the "go" on the potty part. This could be a long one!

The local spa in town is running a valentine's special on massages whereby if you get two you get like 10 bucks off each of them....Grandma Terri and I are treating each other to said massages tomorrow (and trading childcare duties)! I can think of no one more suited for a valentine's gift from me than my favorite co-worker!!!

Happy weekend to everyone - don't forget to let me know what you're up to!

Minnesota and Swimming Pictures

Busy Busy Busy

We've had quite the flury of activity lately and it doesn't stop for a good few days. Friday night Ella had a makeup Tumbling class on account of we missed all but one week of December due to cold/snow/holidays. The class was just she and her good friend Abby and Abby's sister Morgan. It was cool to see what they were willing/able to try with such individual attention.

Saturday we spent the day in Minnesota, mostly in order to see Leah and Emma as Tom had a game in Owatonna. We spent a few hours playing at Cabella's then had dinner with the Dasovich's (minues head coach Tom of course) at Famous Dave's before heading over to the game. It's so neat to see the girls all developing such unique relationships. I'm gald they are able to remain friends, and hope they always have this lasting friendship. Emma is totally sweet, she's quite the hugger as you may be able to tell from the pictures! We did dinner, game and a quick stop at Caribou to play and grab a quick coffee before heading home in PJs. Leah and I enjoyed watching the girls and the game, even if the refs needed a little of our help. Enough in fact that I'm still rather hoarse. Seriously, though, how is it possible, to shoot a freethrow, miss three tips, travel the length of the floor and call a foul, only to realize the clock hadn't started the entire time....and NOT choose to take time off? WHAT? They totally deserved it. Tom's team won (#2 in Minnesota...check out Dasohoops.blogspot.com)

The girls and I checked out a new church on Sunday - Freedom Ridge in Ames. It's a beautiful place and we hope to be able to become a part of their regular community of followers.

Last night was Chris and I's first of four tickets to the Theater in Des Moines. We were fortunate enough to see Spring Awakening - winner of 8 Tony Awards, including best musical this year. It was well deserved. We loved it.

Tonight was our first winter trip to the indoor pool. The girls had a blast, and are rightly exhausted. Tomorrow is Muffins with Mom at preschool (so much fun!) and we're FINALLY haivng Brooklyn over for a playdate. Ella has talked of her nonstop since school started in the fall, and it would seem ALWAYS holds her hand when they walk to chapel "two by two!" So she's coming over for lunch then an hour or so of play in the afternoon. Ella couldn't be more excited.

We've changed AWANA programs, Ella was a puggle at a chruch nearby, but we discovered she could get into the cubbie class (what? you need explaination??? Puggles is the 2-3 year old class, cubbies is 3-4, for some reason the first program we used wouldn't push her up...) so we're doing that with the aforementioned Abby, who has become quite a good friend this winter. Abby has two sisters, one older (Morgan) and one younger (Olivia- Mia's age) and a mom - Molly - we much enjoy their company and have seen quite a lot of them this season at indoor park and nursing home trips. It's been fun to make new friends and glean new lessons and blessings them.

That's where we've been...what say you?

The Warm Up

We've had a great few days - what with the central Iowa heat wave and all. Yesterday we were able to walk to Granda Terri's...Made our way over there with the big sisters pulling their babies on the sleds, if only for a few yards - the rest of the way I trudged through the thigh deep snow pulling Carson and Mia, only to go back to carry Delainey and Ella each individually at least part way over! This snow won't melt til June. But we played outside for a long time, the big girls jumped on the trampoline covered in snow, made snow angels, and the like. On the way back we took a mild detour to push the sleds through the empty lot across the street. Quite the workout for mom that's for sure.
We've been all over this morning - Matthew was here this morning during preschool, we had lunch with Grandma Terri and the kids then played at Addie's for a while before coming back here with Addie for the afternoon. The girls walked alone in the street from Tesdahl's house while I drove alongside them. Such fun. It's so nice out they didn't even wear coats! We played outside for over an hour when we got back. I shoveled the melting snow off the drive - there's still plenty left there nad we can finally get to it....I even managed to scoop enough snow away from the gutter to access that - it was a good six feet tall and five feet of snow out into the street to get to it. Holy Cow. Guess we'll call that strength training for the week.
Speaking of training....Chris and I are both training for the half marathon in Lincoln...program started this week - first tough workout was this morning. A five mile run with a three mile tempo run in the middle. I'm reminded that I've got a long way to go....but it'll be worth it. I'm excited Chris is doing it with me....what a challenge.
Ella and I are going to Minnesota Saturday to see Leah and Emma - Tom is coaching in Owatonna which is only a few hours from here so we're taking advantage. Should be fun to see the girls play together again...I hope they have a lasting friendship despite the miles between them. I promise to post pictures of them as soon as I can (assuming I remember the camera). And Chris and I are going to "Spring Awakening" Sunday night at the Civic Center in Des Moines....it is the first of a set of four tickets my parents gave us for Christmas....I Can't wait.

She's Done!

Went well...Took a while to wake up but she's good now. we'll see how the next few days of recovery with the foot go..... we're headed for Lincoln but wanted to put a few pics up if I could!

Big Day

It's a big day for us today. Ella is having her first "procedure" (I have been told to stop calling it surgery!!!). She has a plantars wart on her right foot that we're having removed and the Dr., on account of her age, wants to do it under some sedation. So we're going to the hospital so they can give her some gas then remove it. I'm glad they are...no need to create a traumatic event when it's not necessary.

I probably haven't mentioned it yet, but Great Nana spent some time in the hospital recently. She had a portion of her colon removed that had died but she's doing very well, and is home now. We're quite proud of her - she has worked like mad to keep herself strong and recover and is doing a fantastic job. Keep it up! We love you.

Have had a good week....I've been convinced to try out Facebook of late. It's a productivity KILLER. But still fun to poke around. We were in Lincoln last week and will be again this - last week was to honor my high school basketball coach John Larson who reached 500 wins back in December. Sorry for the slew of losses my senior season coach - would have been quite a bit sooner without that year eh? :) This week we go for Tanyn's first birthday party (hard to believe) and "christmas" as the lake. We're anxious to go. Mom came in last night to take the girls and I back as Chris is in Kansas City on business and will be meeting us there.

Will try and post as soon as Ella's done being dug at this afternoon. Hopefully they'll keep her groggy enough to make the trip to Lincoln smooth! :)

Happy 2009

Welcome New Year to everyone. So far so good in North Central Iowa. We had a great Christmas - Chris and I's first Christmas morning at home. It was awesome. We took the girls to Ames for Service on Christmas Eve (Mia made it to the second step on the stage at one point before I swooped her back to our seats in the back row...) then took a little detour on the way out of town to survey the local lights. Ella loved it, but didn't remain interested long. We put out some fudge and apple juice (that's all we had!!!) for Santa, then Chris braved the sub zero temperatures to sprinkle "Raindeer food" that Ella got at preschool on the lawn outside her window. Both were eaten come morning! :) We spent the morning opening presents and playing with new toys before heading to the cabin for Christams dinner with the Gifford Clan. My uncle Bob sent the kids these hats. Awesome!
We've been doing lots of babysitting for a friend since getting back, but have been enjoying it immensely. They have a boy Ella's age and a girl Mia's. Ella and Colin became fast friends - she seems to enjoy having a boy around.

I close with what will no doubt reign as my favorite memory of 2009.