Silly Stacey

Saturday night we went to Stacey and Shane's.

Stacey was putting together some gifts for an upcoming party.

The gifts were cute buckets that contained a movie, 2 boxes of movie theater size candy, and 2 packages of microwave popcorn. 

Hannah and Maddie helped us put them together- picking out the candy, counting the popcorn, etc.

By the end of the night Hannah was asking about when she was going to be able to have some of those treats.  Had to break the news that those treats were not for her.  She took it fine.

The next morning she woke up and was sitting at the table.

She turned around and noticed something on top of the fridge.

Hannah:  "Mommy, look!  That silly Stacey. Look what she gave to me (as she pointed to the fridge)."

Of  course before I looked to see what she was looking at I grabbed my camera to snap this picture.

I turn to see a box of Milk Duds and a box of Mike and Ikes on top of the fridge in the 'treat basket'.

I forgot that I had bought those treats to bring to my scrapbooking day this past Friday.  We didn't eat the snacks and I had added them to the basket the day before, because we weren't home the night before she didn't notice them until now.

Lunch of Champions

You gotta have a thick stomach watching your kids eat somedays.
Today Hannah wanted meatballs and Cheetos for lunch.
No big thing right?  Sure.  Until she asked for white dip (Ranch dressing) and ketchup.
Still, not too strange until she decided to mix them together.
Then she proceeded to dip her Cheetos in her newly created mix.
At least I got one that eats.  I guess I will take it!

Oh, and of course this was all washed down with a big glass of chocolate milk.

Time out

Hannah was being sassy this afternoon and I had finally had enough.

I walked her to her room and set her up for her time out.

Of course she sat in there whimpering and whining for about 10 minutes before it went quiet.

I know that techincally time outs should last 1 minute per year so her time out should have only been 3 minutes however many times Brian and I tell her that the time out will last until she calms down.

When I no longer heard her I went in her room to get her.

The usual routine, I would go in there and we would talk about why she was put in her room, she would apologize, we would hug and then she could come out.

I quickly found out why it was so quiet.

Explains why she was so spicy this afternoon.

OUCH!

My friend, Lori, is getting married this coming weekend.
I offered to do her flowers and so I spent the day today putting them all together.

About 5 minutes in, I burnt my finger.

I layed it down in a nice blob of hot glue.

OUCH!

I spent the next hour in a bag of snow.

At least the flowers turned out.  I hope she likes them!

All of this for....

I took the day off today and will be spending it at Archivers, scrapbooking with Karri and Gretchen.

It always feel weird to leave my house to scrapbook.  I have so much stuff that it just feels silly to try to pack it up and then sit somewhere else to work. 

But that didn't stop me.

So, for the few hours that I will be at Archivers today, I will bring a few things.

I ended up getting three pages done.
Here is Hannah's B-day party page.



I also did this page of some pictures taken a few years ago.  I still need a title for it so please, if you can think of anything good let me know.

Changing time

Hannah was playing babies tonight (surprised aren't you?).

Emerson needed a diaper change. 

Hannah:  "Oh littles!  You got poop on your back.  Stay like this while I clean you ups."

Nuk Monster

I have talked before about how Nuks are like crack for babies.

If this picture doesn't prove me right then I don't know what it would take.

Hold this

I was working at the computer and the girls were downstairs playing.

Hannah needed to go upstairs to tell Brian something.

Hannah:  "Here mom, hold this.  Just like this.  Don't smell it and don't move.  OK?"

She must not trust me too much because after she turned the corner she came back just to check on me.

She has recently told me that she really loves her Dankie and she wants to keep her Dankie forever.

I told her it was fine and she could keep Dankie forever.

Hannah:  "Even when I get bigger, I want him.  I love him so much!"

Me:  "That is fine, Hannah.  You can keep him forever, just remember that    "

Hannah:  (while pointing in my direction) "I know, no bringing to places and no bringing outside."

Conversations like this make me really happy that we never let her bring her Dankie to daycare.  I couldn't imagine how we would be sending her to school in a few years without that thing......I mean without him (sorry Dankie).

Emotional strollercoaster

Baby strollers.

The reason for so many smiles and so many tears.

Hannah has always been crazy about baby strollers and since Hailey wants to do everything that Hannah does, she is now obsessed with them as well.

The girls got new double strollers for Christmas.

They are the exact same stroller but you would think that one of them was covered in chocolate.

I remember when Hannah was younger she would sit and play with the buckle on the stroller.  She would clasp it and then have us unclasp it and then she would clasp again, etc.

Just like her sister, Hailey is now the one spending day after day clasping and unclasping.

She gets really excited when she gets it clasped- raises her hands above her head and makes a sound that sounds like she is saying 'I did it'!

The double strollers each have two buckles and if Hailey gets both of them clasped on 'her' stroller and we aren't quick enough to notice and get them unclasped, she is waddling off to find the next victim.

That causes her sister to either scream, cry, or lash out in a way that sends Hailey to tears.

So usually one way or another someone is crying.

Playlist

Kimmy gave Hannah an iPod Shuffle for Christmas.
It was something she had won at work and wasn't going to use so Hannah was the lucky recepient.
We loaded it up with some of her favorite songs.
Hey, Soul Sister by Train
Splish Splash by Bobby Darin
Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme
Misery by Maroon 5
Kiss me Thru the Phone by Soulja Boy
(Taking My) Life Away by Default
Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli
Alright With Me by Kris Allen

Try to find me

Hannah loves playing Hide and Seek.

When we play Hailey just usually follows us around pointing and grunting to the seeker, most of the time giving away great clues as to where the hider is located.

Brian and Hannah left to go to Menards.

Me:  "Hailey, do you want to play?"

Hailey:  pitter patter pitter patter pitter patter

 I was walking behind her to see where she was going and find her in the kitchen, under the chair.

I guess we are playing Hide and Seek.

Two peas in a pod

Here is a picture of Hannah and Olivia from May 2009.

Their relationship is special.

After I signed Hannah up for gymnastics I had found out that Olivia's parents had signed her up as well.  Olivia's mom and I talked and decided that for the next session we would sign them up for the same class.



Olivia's mom is pregnant and went into Labor on Wednesday.

On the way to gymnastics I told Hannah to prepare that Olivia might not be at class tonight.

She was very concerned.

We were sitting in the waiting area at gymnastics and Olivia walked through the door.

Her grandparents brought her tonight since the baby hasn't come yet and she was very anxious to come.

When the girls saw each other they ran into each other's arms and hugged.

Then they just stood there looking at each other and giggling.

This is going to be Olivia's last day at daycare.  It breaks my heart that Hannah won't be seeing her special friend everyday.  She lives close to us so hopefully we can get her information and keep in touch.  I would hate for these two to lose what they have together.

RRRAAAAARRRR!

We start with Hailey thinking that I am taking a picture of her with my camera.
It quickly turns into our newest 'thing'.
She is so adorable!

Hailey and Hannah will sit across the table and roar at each other.  It will always turn into lots of giggles.

What did that say?!

What did that say? A few posts back.  Did that say that there was an iPad under the tree for me?
YES it did! 
This is actually a family gift but I got to unwrap it so I am going to claim it as mine for just a few more months.  At least I was the only one surprised by it on Christmas- thanks honey!
You would think that with an iPod Touch and iPhone that an iPad wouldn't be that big of a deal.  Think again.
This thing is awesome!

Looks like I am not the only one that thinks so....

Biggest waste of time

BUT also the most fun waste of time.

Each time I would log onto the Apple App store the game Angry Birds would be at the top.  Almost as if calling to me "Buy me! Buy me!".  It had tons of positive reviews and has been on the list of Top Grossing Apps since I have had my iPhone.

A few months ago it was finally time to break down, spend the 99 cents and see what all the hype is about.

Oh my WORD this game is fun!

You get a board like this.

Then you swing out to the left where there is a slingshot with a line of birds.  You have to slingshot the birds into the pile of stuff to try to knock out all of the green guys.  There are different birds that do different things etc, etc.  I shouldn't have to explain it too much, I am sure most of you have played it.

Anyways, I finally beat the game. 

Then I found the holiday addition...here we go again.

Mom, I can't do it

Hannah:  "Mom, see I can't do it.  I can't put my jammies on myself."

From a girl who has been dressing herself for over a year. 

She went through all of this just to have me help her get dressed.

And yes....that is her underwear on her head.



The kind of kid you are

Bean Machine

You are the kind of child that any mother would be proud of.

You are sweet, compassionate, caring, helpful, silly, smart, and adorable.

You light up whatever room you are in with your personality and shining eyes.

You are a great big sister and Hailey is so lucky to have someone like you to look up to.

When I see the smile on your face everything makes sense.

Hailey Monster

You are the kind of child that everyone dreams about.

You are easy going, content, observant, sweet, loving, and my heart melts a little everytime you smile!

You are the perfect addition to our family and we couldn't imagine our lives without you.

I can't wait to watch you grow up.  I can't wait to hear what your little voice sounds like.

You have made us complete (for now....).

I did it!

One year ago Kari introduced me to the POTD concept.

Actually it was more of a friendly challenge.

POTD = Picture of the day

What this would mean is that each day we woud post a picture and blog about it.

When I first started I didn't think that I could last 2 weeks.

I was willing to try but really didn't think that I would be able to commit and keep up with this for a whole year!  That sounded crazy.  A huge commitment that I really didn't know if I was capable of.

Well, here I am 12 months later with 358 posts for the year. 

I did it!

When I tell people about my blog they all say the same thing "That is quite the commitment.  How do you find the time??".    I usually respond the same way each time too "It is a commitment and time consuming but it is worth it."

I feel like I should be pouring my heart out about how blogging makes me feel or why I am so happy that I stuck with it but does it really need to be said?  I think it is pretty obvious. 

I do have to give credit to my sisters, my parents, my friends, and my family for actually taking your time to visit to read what we are up to.  Without the positive feedback and comments it would have been easy to stop.  I love the feedback and I love the fact that my family and friends are interested in our story.

I also love that Tammy told me about Blog2Print.com.  This is a site that allows you to turn your blog into a book.  It is so cool and now that the year is over I will be ordering a few of these to hang on to to give to my girls when they get older. 

I am still scrapbooking.  This doesn't replace scrapbooking but it does give me a place to log all those special things about my girls.  The scrapbooks will be the very best of the moments, the very best of the pictures, and my very favorite moments.  I haven't been scrapbooking as much as I want to be and I am thinking that this year it will be the thing that I work on.  Putting serious effort into the task.

I am happy to see that others have decided to blog as well.  I hope you get everything out of it that I do!

5..4..3..2..1....Happy New Year!!!

New Years Eve.

It is funny how a date can spark so many memories and so many feelings.

My dad's birthday is today.  Growing up we spent every New Year's Eve with some family friends.  We would either go to their house or have a party at our house.  I remember always looking forward to that and as I got older I don't remember actually wanting to do anything else.  I wouldn't have thought of it.  Being at home with my family was what it is all about.  That is what it is still about for me.  I want to create New Year's memories with my children and be surrounded by close friends.  I want my kids to look forward to 'partying with mom and dad' for New Year's.

December 31, 2002.  The night Brian proposed to me.  That night we were actually at a party with our friends and as it got close to midnight, Brian had requested a song for me.  The DJ announced it and the song "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton played.  We danced and at the end he was on one knee.  I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about it again.  Here we are married for 7 years and have 2 beautiful little girls. 

Since we have been together we have spent New Year's Eve with the Busta's.  The last few years we have gone over to Tammy and Josh's- with the Busta's.  It is perfect. 

The boys always treat us to a magic show.

The girls always crack us up with their imaginations.

There are always plenty of snacks.

Plenty of crockpots.

And plenty of smiles :-)

(she was taking pictures...or at least pretending to)

I think I may have accomplished what I have set out to do...

Happy New Year!

This

is the camera

that took the picture of this baby

that generated this moment

Hannah (while holding the 'camera' to her eye) :  "Say cheese baby!"

Hannah (while bent over walking to the baby):  "Ohhhh look at you baby, you so cute.  Look at the picture baby."

Hannah (while suprised at what she sees):  "See this picture baby, oops, I see a booger in your nose.  Should we get it?  Should we get it?  Mommy, will get it cutie.  (wipes her nose)  There, doesn't that feel better baby?"

Honestly....if she grows up I am going to cry.

Good idea? Not sure yet.

Who's bright idea was it to create a doll that you can acutally feed that will then poopie and potty?

Is this somethig that if it didn't exist people would actually say "A guy should...."?

I am not really convinced.

However, the three year old in our house couldn't imagine it any other way.

Tonight after dinner we fed Changing Baby Diaper.

She had pears and water.

Afterwards she wet herself.

Hannah was thrilled!

This baby not only eats, drinks, does poopie and potty...she also burps, cries, coos, and giggles.

Before, during, and after her snack/meal/treat she will make noise based upon her needs and it is the job of the 3 year old in the house to read her cues to determine what she needs.

Amazingly, she got what she needed and at the end of the night feel fast asleep next to Emerson in the baby crib located in Hannah's room.

Lucky.

Wish I were here

I wish I were somewhere in the middle of all of that!

Another reason why I never get much done when I plan to.

I get in the mood to clean the house or pick things up so the girls get settled in our bed and I find them a how to watch.  It should give me at least 23 minutes of free time. 

Instead I find myself standing in the doorway watching how sweet they are and hoping that as they grow up things stay this peaceful.

Copycat

I was laying my head on a towel that was laying on the toilet tonight watching the girls in the bath.
My little Hailey Bird Monster was watching me and then proceeded to place her washcloth on the tub and lay her head down to look back at me.

It was a Baby Christmas

This is what you get when you have two baby-obsessed little girls :-)

I was happy to see that Emerson didn't take a back seat to Changing Baby Diaper.  Now Hannah is just real busy with two!

Merry Christmas Round 2

Today Brian and I hosted Christmas at our house for my side of the family.
We had homemade Money Bread, fruit salad  and mimosas for breakfast.
Then we opened gifts.

*Proud Mommy Alert*
With each present that Hannah opened she gave a personal lank you (thank you) and a hug to the gift giver.  It was so sweet to watch her react to the gifts that she opened and I was so proud that she genuinely seemed appreciative of receiving those gifts. 

Some of the gift highlights (can't possibly list them all)
Hannah:  Changing Baby Diaper, Blue Princess baby, books, clothes/jammies, games, movies (Wizard Ba Boz was a hit!), baby highchair, monkey lunch box, barbies, new backpack, Easy Bake Oven
Hailey: Peek a Boo Baby, twin babies, baby highchair, books, clothes/jammies/socks, new backpack, play microwave
Brian: iPod adapter for truck stereo, Sears gift cards, LOTS of Chicken Wild gift cards, shoes, t-shirts, new pots and pans
Amy:  clothes, gift cards, Sony Cybershot camera, necklace, purse skirt, new bag for work, an iPad

How could you not fall in love with that purse skirt???!!!  It is so cute!

Merry Christmas Round 1

 We spend Christmas Eve at the Parmley's.
It works out perfectly since we then can spend Christmas Day with the 'Miller side'.

The kids LOVE seeing each other and look at this.  They are actually sitting still (almost) and sort of cooperating while Jennifer, Judy and I snap away taking pictures. 

We cheated this year using the TV as a distraction  :-)

Grandma and Grandpa got each of the kids a Pillow Pet.

They all opened them at the same time and were very excited about them.

Our annual family picture.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Special bracelet

When I got home today Hannah greeted me holding this bracelet in her hands.

Hannah:  "Here mom.  This bracelet is for you.  Manda got it to me at Jackie's.  I want you to have it cause you are a special moder and I love you very much!" 

 (insert HUGE hug here)

Maybe she isn't such a stinker after all...

No mom, I'm not

Tonight in the bath Hannah was drinking the bath water.

You can only do so much to try to stop it and believe me I was doing all I could while also assuring that #2 was being watched as well.

She kept laying on her belly and then opening her mouth to get a large mouthful of water.

Me:  "Hannah Elizabeth!  Stop doing that.  It is nasty and you are going to choke!'

Hannah:   mischevious smile and mouthful of water- some spit out, some swallowed

Me:  " Bean, I am serious.  Stop it."

Hannah:  cough, cough, gag, gag

Me:  "What did I tell you?  Are you ok?"

eyes watering while she catches her breath

Hannah:  "No mom, I'm not choking.  I just playing my favorite coughing game"

Little stinker.....