A Quote and a Confession

Quote of the Day:

As Anna-Kate was looking at a picture of Elmo, she says,
"Elmo Simmons"

I guess I can see how she would think Elmo is like a member of the family!

A Confession:

I have been struggling with reflux this pregnancy. Some days, I have had to get sick quite often. Last week in particular was quite rough. Because of that, Anna-Kate's TV allowance went up. I could not watch Elmo the whole time. She kindly let mommy pick the show some times.

With that said, you understand where this quote comes from. We had just walked in the house after time at the pool today. Anna-Kate was tired but didn't want to go to bed. So she said,

"I want sit with Mommy on couch. I want watch Screech."

I knew we had watched more TV than normal, but I didn't think it was enough to know Screech by name!! (Anyone else Saved By the Bell fans?!)

Obsessed

Anna-Kate loves the water! and I love this swimsuit on her!
Ignore the bangs that I think I have decided to grow out, instead of making both of us suffer through another bang-trimming experience.

Too sweet and cute!

I am also a bit obsessed with these two handsome boys!

A Summer Night

I have been looking forward to introducing Anna-Kate to a popsicle outside in the summer heat. After her sickness last week and my rough start to the week (more on that later), we were finally ready to celebrate the summer the right way!

I think she is telling her daddy,"how cool is mom for planning such a nice, fun evening?!" haha! Okay, she is probably saying, "Anna-Kate have pink. Daddy have purple. Where Daddy po'sicle go? Daddy need more? Mommy have green."
I found AK these great mini-sized popsicles. I was glad that I did. Even a mini melts faster than a toddler can eat it. This picture was taken as AK said, "Oh no po'sicle!"

"It's okay Anna-Kate." Can you see the red popsicle lines down AK's front? classic picture of toddler in only her diaper with popsicle dripping!

After her popsicle, it was time to introduce AK to sidewalk chalk. It didn't take long for AK to say, "Anna-Kate have yellow. Daddy draw Big Bird."

Being the sweet and talented Dad that he is, Will drew Big Bird.

Looking forward to more summer nights!

Quote of the [yester]Day

Notice Anna-Kate's pretty blonde hair.
Now that you have been reminded of her sweet little blonde hair, listen to this:

Anna-Kate and I were walking through the mall (to Barnes and Noble's story time). One of the middle of the hall vendors stops us and says,
"Is that blonde hair natural?"
I have no comment for this.
"What a pretty little girl!"
Thanks.

And, really, what do you say to that comment?

8 weeks

And the pregnancy posts have started! I am so excited that we are expecting our second little one! Here are the very few details that exist at this point:

We are 8 weeks today. That gives a due date of Jan 30. The doctor today said that I am measuring spot on, so no need to adjust the due date. We got to see the little "peanut" on the ultrasound today. Such a sweet moment to hear the heartbeat and see that tiny little one for the first time.

How do I feel? Better than I did with Anna-Kate's. At this point while carrying AK, I was getting sick 2-5 times per day; my record was 6 times. This time I am guarenteed to get sick when I get out of the shower in the morning and sometimes again in the evenings before bed. But, that is it. My issue this time seems to be constant reflux or heartburn. I am starting today to fight that. Food will sound good, but then is miserable going down and for hours afterward. :(

For you Atrium girls out there....aaahhhh....love them! I met the new doctor today, Dr. Gray, and I love her! So nice! I am bummed that one of my favorites is about to retire, but I am glad that I like the new doc.

The only other thing of interest at today's appt was discussion of the dreaded gestational diabetes and glucose test! My doctor saw on the chart how big Anna-Kate was (9lbs, 12 oz!) and immediately checked my gest. diab. test from last time. "Yep, you are going to get tested early this time. We'll get you past this worst nausea, then we'll test you." I failed the one hour test last time and then barely passed the 3 hour test. The doctors didn't make a big deal about it, so I didn't really adjust my diet much. Apparently that is the main reason AK was a bigger baby. So, this time I have to get tested right away. Not a big deal, just a yucky one hour test.

We feel blessed! Look forward to the next 32 weeks!

Barefoot

and

Pregnant!

Details to come after our first ob appt Monday

What's Next?

Hey becca! I notice you are not going to be watching Mary-Knowles full-time any more. What are you going to do next?

Good question. I am going to get used to life in my own home with my Anna-Kate. There are friends who have a baby girl due late summer. In the fall, I will start watching that little girl 2-3 days a week (in my house). I am excited to become a full-time stay-at-home wife as well as mom. I have to get used to my home being both my work and my relaxing place. Any tips on that?

For Anna-Kate, she is going to start preschool in the fall. She is so used to having a friend around all the time; I think she is going to really like being able to expect preschool friends two mornings a week.

Thanks for asking!

Monday

1

We all knew this post was coming, but it is surreal to me that it is really here.

One.

Not one week left. One day.

Well friends, I am going to warn you this post might be long and will definitely be sappy. I have ended the post with some of my all-time favorite pictures from the last two years with my girls, my "7-4 twins." From the first days, throughout the two years, and then I just posted a couple pictures from today.

After two years, I have learned so much from these two girls. Some of it should be quite obvious. Like, just because two girls are the same age does not mean they are the same. They reach milestones at different moments (like one crawls before 6 months and the other crawls at 12 months). They have different favorite foods and different dislikes. They need different discipline and like different ways of being consoled.

Another big lesson, one of the biggest: be prepared! People laugh at my diaper bag that I carry around. At all times, there are at least 2, normally 3, extra snacks. There are at least 5 diapers with a pack of wipes. There are toys, books, cups, .... Did I mention there are tons of snacks. Getting two babies out of the house and to the car was always a treat. I timed in the beginning that it took me 11 minutes to get them out of the house and in the car. I have just used that as my guide since then; though, I think keeping two toddlers focused on the goal of getting to the car may take longer than it took with two infants!

Random tips that I have figured out along the way:

Use the words "take turns" rather than "share." Sharing implies giving something away, while taking turns reminds them they will have another turn.

Try to park near a sidewalk. I can put one toddler on the sidewalk while getting the other toddler out of the car. These girls know the phrase "stay on the sidewalk" quite well!

What I wish I knew: how many diapers did I change?!

My Favorite Moments: reading Fancy Nancy before nap time, nursing Anna-Kate while giving Mary-Knowles her bottle, watching Mary-Knowles give Anna-Kate hugs, hearing "see you later" as the girls run away from me giggling, seeing the girls reading books in MK's bed, ...

I keep wondering how do I sum up 2 years with these girls. I guess I should just say, "I have loved it!" I have loved having a mommy-friend in Mary-Knowles's mom. I have loved that Anna-Kate has had such a special, unique relationship with Mary-Knowles. I have loved being a part of Mary-Knowles's life, watching her grow from a sweet, active 4 month old to a generous, spunky two year old.

And all of this obviously means that I am going to miss my everyday with Mary-Knowles. But, I will stop this long post, because I know there are many playdates to come, as well as slumber parties and fancy nancy tea parties and walks in the mall and ...

Our first day together. Above, MK looks at AK as though to say, "are you here to stay, kid?" Below might be one of my all-time favorites ever. What I remember too is how long it took me to get both those little girls out the door and in that position!

Our very first outing

One of our first pictures together

We did this so many times. This was just over a year ago.

I look at this picture and laugh with them!



This picture was taken at the beginning of this school year. Maybe this look says, "are we about to do this again?" or maybe it says, "where have you been the last 2 months?"

Today

Anna-Kate and I showed Mary-Knowles our recipe for cooking water.

Need: one spoon, one large plastic bowl, one small condiment bowl
Today we added a rock found earlier at the bank. Rocks are optional.


Stir water. Pour water from small bowl to large. Take occasional drinks from water.

Note: this activity is for the patient. Water will be down the front of dresses, on the chairs, and on the floor.

Pictures You Missed

Here are a few random images from May that somehow never made it to the blog.

The girls and I met a friend at the mall for story time and lunch. A trip to see Thomas was a must! Our friend Claire insisted on riding, and her mom insisted all three could fit. I stood Anna-Kate in front of Mary-Knowles. Before I knew it, Anna-Kate just sat down on Mary-Knowles. Both girls acted like it was natural; why wouldn't AK sit on MK's lap? This was a 50 cents well spent!

Aaaah, this picture makes me hungry. We were at the Angus Barn with my family. My mom and dad treated the family to this steak treat! And what a treat it was! It was so special going with them. They had wanted to go since they lived here while my dad was in college. It felt extra special to them to see their restaurant dream come true with their whole family with them! Love you Mom and Dad! I'll go to Angus Barn with you anytime you want!

What picture collection would be complete without Anna-Kate on a swing, or so Anna-Kate would think?! She absolutely loves swings!! We were out running errands and stopped for a treat just for our AK.

I love this picture of my two favorite people! How much fun are they having!

I love my girl in her sunglasses! I couldn't resist taking this picture! Our smiles are cute (the way the wind is blowing my dress is not as cute) and the sunglasses really do make me smile!

Who can resist sweet toddler feet in her first flip flops with pink toe nails?

1-2-3-Imagine!

Cute Story: Before Anna-Kate came along, Will and I met for dinner with some friends about once a month. I told them we were pregnant by saying, "Okay, you're about 32 weeks pregnant. You're 15 weeks pregnant. And, I am 7 weeks pregnant." Look at our group two and a half years later. All the sudden 6 adults turned into a group of 10!


One of them had a great idea; let's take the kids to Sesame Street Live!
John-David and Claire are discussing the lighting and choreography.

They approve! Look at how transfixed these kids are!

Anna-Kate was so enamored! She clapped and laughed and clapped some more!

What a fun show! Loved it friends! 

Water Babies

Last year Anna-Kate was fearless in the water. She didn't want to be in her float. She wanted to do everything she saw others doing. Even to the point that one time she saw someone swimming laps and she struggled to get out of my arms and started flailing her arms as though she would be able to swim too. I have wondered if she would be the same this year or if she would need time to warm up to the water.

She was the same! My cautious child turned into a fearless, confident girl in the water. She would jump in from side. Get her face wet and laugh. Walk away from me. I love watching her with so much confidence! Luckily we were at Milbrook Exchange's baby pool so I didn't have to worry about depth of water.
How cute is my girl in her swimsuit! And, is it bad that I think this shot of my girls back in their swimsuits is do stinkin' cute!?!

Anna-Kate was so h.a.p.p.y in the water! She was smiling and laughing the whole time! I have a feeling we will be in the water a lot this summer, if she has her way!

Mary-Knowles wanted her picture taken. I told her to stand in front of me and smile. How cute is she!

Anderson and Mary-Knowles stood for a long time, just checking out the sprayground on the other side of the fence.

I have wanted to take lots of pictures of my girls in these last days that I did an awful job of getting pictures of the friends that were there with us. Sorry friends! But, we will definitely go back with you whenever you want!