Creative Activities Coordinator for MOPS

I know...shocker...me taking on more stuff to do. But hey...this is a way I can guilt free do crafts and its for a wonderful cause, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I love this group. Actually, its how we found our church and our preschool. When I found out we were moving to Bartlesville, one of the first things I did was looks up on the MOPS website to see if they had a local group here...and they did! YAY for me. Anyway, back to my post...I have joined the steering team as the Creative Activities Coordinator for this year. A bit more challenging that I thought. Come up with two crafts a month that you can do in a short period of time for 50 women without spending a lot of money. After brainstorming a bit and narrowing down my list of crafts, I come to my biggest stumbling block...small town USA. Not a lot of options here, so I'm spending a lot of time online researching and pricing. Oh well...I do that with everything! =) We have our first meeting in a week and I'm really looking forward to it. I've spent the last few days cutting paper and sorting to prepare for the first day. I'm sure I'll be posting the outcomes of the crafts and hopefully some pictures...of the ones that turn out. If you just happen to be in the area and want hang out with a bunch of fun moms, have you kiddos lovingly cared for in MOPPETS while you eat a yummy breakfast, listen to a speaker, enjoy time with friends, and be a little crafty...we'd love to have you. Our first meeting is Sept. 8. First Baptist Church of Bartlesville 405 SE Cherokee Ave Bartlesville, OK 74003 (918) 336-6172.

Tag Pocket Card

Fun! I was finally able to squeeze a few minutes here and there (quite literally) to do a quick little project that I promised the MOPS Steering team I'd do. (Sorry they're a bit late, ladies!) Once I figured out the dimensions, colors and embellies...super easy to make. I'll post a quick tutorial later...after the kiddos are asleep and I have some quiet time! Meanwhile...enjoy!

How to make a Tag Pocket Card

Materials needed:
1 sheet of 12x12 cardstock for pocket (I used textured cardstock), 1 sheet of white cardstock for tag, Scrapbook paper scraps, Punch, Button, 6” ribbon scrap, Scissors, Adhesive, Standard invitaiton size envelope

Optional materials:
Sewing machine and thread, Stamp and ink for sentiment on tag


Directions:

1. Cut 1" strip off of the top of the 12x12.
2. Cut your now 11x12 colored cardstock into a 4” strips. I used my Zutter DreamKuts and made three at once. Now you have 3 11x4 pieces.
3. Score and fold lengthwise at 5 1/2 inches, to create the 4”x 5 1/2” card. I used a Scor-Pal, but you can use any kind of scorer or bone folder
4. Score and fold down approximately 1 ¼” for the front pocket flap
5. I used my sewing machine to stitch down the edges and around the bottom, but you could use adhesive, brads or eyelets
6. Cut inside tag out of plain cardstock to measure 3” x 5”
7. Trim top corners on a 45 degree angle and punch a hole for the “tag” look
8. Thread ribbon through punched hole and tie

At this point you can embellish the front of the pocket in any way you’d like. You can punch any kind of shape out of scrap paper and adhere to the front. You could print and mat a sentiment. The options are endless. I chose some punches. The flower punch was made from 2 large daisy punches layered together. I added a button to the front and slightly bend up the petals of the daisy. On the other card, I layered a punched circle with a punched scalloped circle, and then matted a button with another punched circle.

Finally, write or stamp any sentiment on the tag, insert into pocket, add your envelope!

Here is a picture of how the petals on flower actually stick up off the page!

I've never really written a tutorial before, so if I've totally missed a step, or they are hard to understand....please let me know! =)

Where oh where could my diaper be?

The kids were happily playing in the play room, so I took the opportunity to run down to the kitchen to start dinner. A few minutes later, I hear Grady start to cry. Ok, so he realized I was gone. It wasn't the cry that something had happened, but the I-want-mama-cry, so I didn't rush back up. I finish what I was doing and headed back up the stairs only to be greeted by a naked little boy. (I love that he knew something was wrong and was trying to get my attention, I only wish he'd start talking because that would be much easier on the ears.) Ok...so, where's the diaper??? He just recently figured out how to get the tabs undone, but that usually on the changing table after I put a new diaper on. Well, I grabbed him and headed for his room, so we could get his uncontrolled fire hose covered up before we had an accident. Then I went on the hunt for the diaper. Not in his room, not in the bathroom, not in the girls room. There are only so many places a 1 yo kiddo can hide a diaper. Not in the playroom, not in the baskets in the playroom, not in the hallway. Did he throw it threw the banister rails into the foyer (one of his latest games)? No, not there. In my office, no the baby gate is up. Ok..girls??? Where is Grady's diaper, better yet...when you saw him walking around naked, why didn't you say something. "I don't know mama." Let me make one sweep back through the upstairs. No where to be found! Walking back down the hallway in front of my office door, what's that? Something wet under my bare foot? Look down, yup...drip, drip, drop, ewe, yuk! Grab towel, wipe foot, clean carpet, clean baby gate, pull gate down to get the other side...oh...there's the diaper. Dropped over the gate in the corner of my office. That'll teach me to keep him out.

August pictures

Puke city

Ok, so maybe the title is a bit much, but if that's the case...stop reading right now. We had a rough week here at our house. Grady's cake incident...well, that was just the beginning. First Grady on Friday and Saturday, then Molly on Sunday, then Ellery Monday morning...puke, puke puke. I thought...hmm...I made it through...I feel...ok...no...wait a minute...not so ok...oh great...here goes...yup. I got it. I got the bug too. I got it BAD. After my third call to Joe begging him to come home from work because I was no longer able to take care of the kids (which is an absolutely horrible feeling) I realized I was REALLY sick. I couldn't even nurse my sick kiddos back to health. Heck, I couldn't even feed them....not that they were really hungry...but still. Thankfully Joe came home from work and took all three kids. I slept, and slept, and slept. I slept so long my body hurt. Not the good kind of deep sleep, but the kind that you wake up, roll over, go back to sleep for another hour or two, wake up, roll over, go back to sleep. I was down for about 14 hours. Two good things came of this little bug. One: I lost 6 pounds and two: I finally kicked my diet Pepsi addiction!

End note: Joe did get it a few days later. He quickly apologized for not coming home after the first call. =)

Not the favorite mommy anymore

Yesterday, Ellery says to me (amidst a conversation about dinner), "You're not my favorite mommy anymore." "Oh really," I replied, "why is that?" She answers, "because you make us eat yucky food." So be it cuz your not getting mac-n-cheese for dinner every night, kiddo!

This is what happens when Molly goes to school

Off and on throughout the day, Ellery will disappear. We will be finishing up lunch, or putting away laundry, or playing and she'll disappear. I came down the hall and heard her having this grand conversation with someone. I was curious, so peaked around the corner into the playroom. This is what I found. She has all of Molly's current favorite toys (My Little Pony's) lined up with the little pony house and they were play-acting out something. Too cute! What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Molly will never know that we do little else but wait for her return and no, I have no idea how that toy broke!

Grady's Birthday

We finally had a little something for him...a month late. Well, we had cake for him. Our neighbors came over and the kids all swam in the pool, then we had snacks and cake. Grady had no idea what was going on, his main concern was to get ALL of the frosting off of his highchair tray and into his mouth. We had to put him in the shower afterwards and hose him down. There was just no other way to clean it all up!

End note: At 2:45 in the morning, I heard through the monitor "wimper, wimper, cough, cough".....silence. I bolted out of bed (because I knew it wasn't good) and ran upstairs to Grady's room. I opened the door to smell....cake. It was EVERYWHERE. All over Grady, his jammies, the sheets, his blanket, the crib...everywhere. Too much sugar, I guess!?! His little belly couldn't take it.

Ellery's first day of Preschool

My #2 has started preschool this year. She did the mom's day out program last year, which we called preschool, because she sooo wants to do everything Molly does. So, heading off to preschool wasn't much of a change for her. The only difference is that she's there twice a week. She really wanted to wear Molly's school shirt from last year, which is WAY too big...it actually fits better as a dress. The picture isn't the greatest but she's in the I-can't-remember-how-to-smile-for-a-picture phase. She kept squinting her eyes and bunching up her nose and asking, "is this how, mama?" I gave up and this is the best of the bunch!

Kindergarten update

Ok, so reading yesterday's post, I would have thought I'd be in near tears today. Well, pretty much a non-event. Ellery and I walked Molly into her classroom, she sat down at her table and began to color. I barley even got a kiss goodbye. Ellery and I spent some time together running errands, while Goggy (Grandpa Pat) stayed home with Grady. Luckily, to me, this seemed like any other preschool day, so no tears. When we got home, Ellery ran straight upstairs and I didn't see her for an hour. Turns out she had so much fun playing with all of Molly's toys, she even forgot about the pool. And...I found out that its NOT Molly who makes all the messes around here, but sweet little Ellery.
When I picked Miss Molly up after school, I was so anxious to hear about her day. Her response to my asking, "Mom, I really don't want to talk about this with you right now." Wait...did I say she was in Kindergarten? Hnhh...sounds more like high school to me....

Kindergarten

So tomorrow is the first day of school for Miss Molly...*sigh* My first baby is going off to Kindergarten. Here in OK, its an all day event. No breaking them (or us) in with half days. I'm still not sure how I feel about this, but will let you know tomorrow after I get home from dropping her off and drying my eyes. We had her open house last night and she had a lot of fun checking things out. Luckily her best friend from preschool will be going with her, so I have a feeling she'll hit the ground running. As I'm emotionally getting ready for this momentous occasion, I'm reminded of what my mom told me about my first day of school. She drove up to the school expecting a big deal, and I jumped out of the car and ran to the front door with barely a glance backwards. I'm not sure I'm ready to let go like that. I've had her here with me at my heels every second for the last 5 years. Will it be sad that my baby is growing up? Will it be freeing to have a little more time? (Well, with 2 other little ones here, I won't have much time...probably less because Ellery is losing her playmate! =) So...check back tomorrow. I'll let you know how we did...

Can you believe it????

After 5 LONG months....we are finally filling the pool with water. And its pouring rain outside. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be posting pictures of the girls playing happily in the new pool.

End note: I wrote this the day we were filling the pool with water, which was 5 months after the digging began. It is now 10 months after the digging began...its still not finished.

Font junkie

I admit it. I'm a font junkie. I LOVE fonts. All types. I have stumbled upon (somehow during one of my late night web surfing sessions) a great site for scrapbooking fonts (scrap-n-fonts). Well, right now, all their fonts, doodlebats, and other digital stuff is on sale for ONLY $1 per font! Woo-hoo! (Mom...do not click on the link unless you want to spend some money!) =)

What happens at our house after the kids go to bed

No...its not THAT kind of post. Apparantly we have a lot of fun around here after the kids go to bed...or at least that's what Molly thinks. For the last few nights, she's been telling me that she wants to stay up with us until we go to bed. Here's the shortened version of our nightly conversation:

Molly: Mommy, I want to stay up with you.
Me: Sweet pea, it's time for you to go to bed.
Molly: But can I stay up like you?
Me: Honey, believe me, you don't want to.
Molly: Why not?
Me: Well, because after you go to bed, Mommy goes around the house cleaning and picking up. No fun huh?
Molly: But I will help you.
Me: It's really not that fun to clean, fold laundry, and do the dishes.
Molly: But I want to help.
Me: Oh really...let's start in the play room.

Usually this is enought to send her running to bed. Not tonight. Nope...no sleeping for her. She's going to help clean. Ok. Ellery...you want to stay up and clean to, I ask??? Sure! So we all went into the playroom to clean. Ellery lasted about 10 minutes before she announced she was tired and going to bed. Molly...well, its 10:30 now, 2 1/2 hours past her bedtime, and she is still in the playroom cleaning. Sorting all the cards actually. And telling Goggy (Grandpa Pat) what to pick up. How long will I let her clean, you ask? Well, after the playroom is clean, we have some laundry to do, then some paperwork in my office...Hhmmm...tomorrow night maybe we should start on the bathrooms?

July Pictures

On the road again

Through my church and MOPS group, I have met a wonderful group of gals. A few of them are extra special to me because they drag my butt out of bed at 5:30 in the morning, three days a week to go running. Something I dearly miss. Thank you Denise, Michelle, and Betsy...and my new friends Stacey, Tracy, and Michelle...I look forward to many early mornings and a few less pounds!!!

What have we done???

I walk outside on a daily basis to survey they yard. Why? Why would we go and tear up a perfectly nice lawn??? It's all supposed to be over in about 10 days. What? Only 3 months behind schedule? Did I mention that its almost 100 degrees outside? And we are stuck staring at the mess that we've actually PAID someone to make!!! Kinda makes your head spin. Oh well. I'm hoping that I'll be writing again in 10 days to post pictures of our beautiful pool, patio and usable backyard.

Ellery's cheeseburger

I really try not to eat fast food, but there are those nights when you just have too much going on and that's all you can do. Last night was one of them. We were heading out to run a few errands, pick up Joe from work and get to church for my MOPS Steering meeting. On the way, we hit the golden arches for some grease, I mean food. Ellery wanted a cheeseburger happy meal (with the apples...so there was something healthy!) so that's what I got her. After our first stop, she asks me, "Mommy, where is my sandwich?" Huh, I think? What? How exactly do you loose a cheeseburger when you are strapped into your car seat? (Another thing I said would no longer happen...food in my car.) Anyway, we stop at Daddy's work to drop off his dinner and I climb into the back of the Odyssey to hunt for the sandwich. Not in the backseat. Not in her chair. Not in the cup holder. Not under the seat. Not in the trunk. (We're running out of places here.) We have to head to my meeting, so no more burger hunt. As we're pulling into the church, Ellery says, "Oh...mommy...its in my belly. I already ate it." Problem solved.

Shots and Kindergarten

As we're beginning the school enrollment (at the moment I've decided against home schooling...or against ME home schooling) we've received a notice that Miss Molly is missing a shot. Not sure how, but could it have been the three moves and three changes in pediatricians since she's been born??? Anyway, I just told her that we need to take her in to get a shot so she can go to Kindergarten. She says, "that's OK mom, I won't go to school." Just like that. She'll stay home with me, no going to school. Well....OK then...

Another "I can do that" creation

This was a joint effort with my Uncle Rick. (See earlier postings about wall words.) This sign has been in my head (a few different versions) for a couple of years now. The original version was painted, but after hand painting the sign in Grady's room (another picture I should post) I decided that there had to be another way. And there is...my Uncle Rick. You see, he owns a business that cuts all the vinyl lettering for signs and cars and misc other stuff. Now, thanks to me and my bright (read: time consuming) ideas...he can do home decor as well! Ok, so the sign...another one of my "I can do that" thoughts. So easy, right? Joe cuts the board, I prime and paint it, then wait, then weather it, blah, blah, blah, trim, paint, blah...how many days later??? Good old Uncle Rick cut the lettering for me, so all I had to do was rub it on. I LOVE IT!!! Thanks Uncle Rick! I'll send pics of the other ones....when I get them done! Oh...and if anyone is oh-so-impressed by my handy work and would like to order words...just let me know and I'd be happy to help!

End note: The side says Laundry, or the Laundry, or wash room, or something like that in French. Anyone???

I am in love....

...with my latest creation that is! I have a few friends that have just had or are about to have babies and I cannot give a gift without a little homemade touch...that's just me. Plus, what baby doesn't need a personalized onsie??? Anyway, just had to share!

I finally finished it!

This is supposed to be a dress, or at least that was the plan. I was knitting the girls the same dresses but in different colors. They would start out as dresses, and as the girls grew, we could use them at tops. So...does that tell you how long this took? By the time I finished it, Ellery can only wear hers as a top. (That's ok...I never did find the argyle tights that I wanted to go with this.) Molly's has been done for some time now, but Ellery's I just completed. I think I started this project when I was pregnant with Grady. His first birthday is in a week. Does that tell you how long these took!?!? Another thing about me...I LOVE to start projects. I love the idea of doing project. Craft, sewing, painting, building...any kind of projects. Its the finishing part that's hard. So, one of my goals...finish all the projects I have started. One down...32 to go...

Just a little something funny

My DH works so hard and is a bit stressed. Well, this became very evident yesterday when he opened up his email to find an email from none other than....himself! =) You see people talking to themselves...now the latest is emailing themselves! Honey...you need a break...or at least a break from that Blackberry!!!

Ellery's descriptions of things

Ellery has the most wonderfully perfect descriptions for things. Like when she's trying to explain to us about how the bottom of her foot "itches" after she been sitting on it. You know, how your foot falls asleep? She calls it "sparkles." Mama, my foot is sparkly. Perfect! Also, the adrenaline rush feeling is the wiggles (see earlier post.) Well, her latest....she had a little tummy ache the other day. We weren't really sure what kind, so we start asking questions...do you feel like you want to throw up? Did you bonk it? Do you need to poop? You know...the usual questions! =) She says, "Mommy, I think my cream cheese and crackers turned over in my tummy." Isn't that exactly what it feels like?

Baby book events

Grady has figured out how to go back down the stairs. Lucky for me, becuase now he doesn't stand at the top of the playroom stairs (all 3 of them) and scream for me to come get him.

June's Pictures

Happy Anniversay

To my wonderful husband:

Can you believe this is us? 8 years ago!?!? So much has changed. We've moved 4 times, changed jobs twice that, had 3 children, gained a few pounds (ok...so more than a few), survived your undergrad and grad schools, lost loved ones, seen the Northern Lights, moved away from family and friends, cried, renovated homes, celebrated birthdays, fought, snow-mobiled, met new people, taken trips, hiked up mountains (small ones), watched movies, seen Alaska, swam in the ocean, stayed up all night with sick kids, rappelled from cliffs, travelled through Ireland, SCUBA dived with sharks and seen some of the most beautiful waters in the world, read books, taken naps, laughed, travelled cross country...the list is endless and ever changing. But one thing that has not changed is my love for you. That's not true, exactly. It has and does change, but gets better and grows bigger every day. I love you so differently today than I did 8 years ago. You are so much to me. My husband, best friend, father of my children, sugar daddy, shoulder, support system, comic relief, teammate, other half, encourager...I thank God for bringing such a wonderful man to me. Someone with whom I will spend the rest of my life and grow old with, to help raise our children, to love and to love me, to talk to, to sleep next to at night. I love you babe. Happy #8.

Cupcake Tag

End note: the brad at the top is holding the slide back. A place for hidden journaling, a note to your sweetie, or even a picture!

My Wall Words

Well Amy, after what, a year and a half!?!? I finally got my wall words! Part of the problem was I've spent the last 10 months searching for THE quote. I finally found it! Here's a picture for now (still trying to get the right light for a shot of the whole room). I put them above the windows in our dining room. Since I heard about these a couple of years ago, I've been wanting to put them up. One problem...we keep moving! Since we're going to be here for a few years (right, Joe???) I figured I'd go for it. I'm wandering around my house looking at every possible place to put more, since I love them so much! I have since found that my Uncle owns a business where he does similar work. My mom and I are trying to persuade him to add this niche to his business. We're working on some ideas and (because I need more to do) I'd like to start selling these. So...any interested in buying some wondering words for your walls???? Contact me...=)

BTW, it says, "For health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends."

Our pool is finally done!!!

After, what? almost 4 months, our pool is done. It looks a lot smaller than we had imagined, but we have a wonderful place for the kids to play. A fantastic patio area with beautiful deck chairs. We are looking forward to our pool party and having everyone over to enjoy it with us!

Things about our sink

Apparently, we have a pretty magical sink. It can do a lot of things all by itself. It can turn itself on and off. It can fill tea party cups and stacking cups. It can drip and spray water across the bathroom floor and the counter top. It can completely soak a hand towel. It can even bathe various dolls and toys. While doing all this, it gets awfully dirty and needs to be washed...a lot. No need to worry, Ellery would be happy to play in, I mean clean, the sink. Without even being asked.

Oh and did I mention...

He's totally walking and loving it! Of course, this stage comes with all the bumps and bruises of the mobility learning curve. In addition to the new height he's gained, his reach has increased as well...and he's taking full advantage of it. I was in the bathroom getting ready the other day, and I hear the whoosh of the toilet being flushed, but then didn't see a little girl come out. Huh...well...it was Grady...flushing the toilet. Luckily the lid was down, so nothing took a swim, but I'm sure that's right around the corner. He's also become quit the climber. The fireplace, the girls rocking chair, my treadmill, the train table (that was a shock...to both of us!); if he can get his knee up on it, he's going for it. So, my mommy-sense has been heightened to a new level and I have a feeling that with a boy, its just going to increase!

Poop

Yes, that is the first word that has come out of my precious little boy's mouth. Poop. But it is oh-so-fitting, as that's what he does a lot of. Hhnnh, does he hear that word a lot? Well...we have songs about it that I sing while I change him. We have faces and noises we make about it when we smell it. We make him laugh hysterically just by saying the word (its really an adorable laugh which is the only reason I do it). It gets announced when the little people in the house have to go do it. The girls say it when I'm not in the room, laugh about it, then tattle on each other because they think its such a funny word. So, Grady does hear that word a lot...apparantly too much!

(Post note: he did also say "ma," "cat," and "up," but poop was first.)

Oh what a crazy life we lead...

Well, not really any crazier than normal, but still, sometimes it feels like I barely have time to sleep...(oh yah...I don't! =) Let see...what has been going on around here??? Well, there has been a bunch of firsts. For the first time, I have a bad teether. Grady is getting on of his top teeth and is making us all miserable. On top of that, we are having our fist nursing strike; not me, him. I've never been through this before, and its rather tough. Partly because I'm having to pump all the time.  Today Grady, for the first time, stood up from sitting, all on his own, no support, no help, just stood up.

Getting the wiggles

We've had some pretty bad thunderstorms here lately. Every night before bed, the girls check with us to see if its going to storm. If it is, they usually end up in our bed anyway, so they start the night there. On clear nights, Ellery says, "I want it to thunder and lightening so I can sleep in your bed." This morning when I awoke, it was surprisingly still stormy. As I was in the kitchen making coffee, I heard a horribly loud noise. I thought for sure that one of the tractors (yes our pool in still a work in progress and no we have no idea when it'll be done) had fallen into the pool (the one without water). Then the noise kept going and I was starting to wonder if the sky was really falling. Well, I walked into our bathroom where Joe was getting ready for work to find the girls out of bed and hiding in the closet. I smiled and asked if the thunder had scared them, because it had me! Ellery asked, "Did it make you wiggly too, mom?" In toddler speak, I guess wiggly is the best way to describe the adrenaline rush you get from a scare. Yes, I guess I got the wiggles!

Standing up

Grady's been practicing his new ability to stand up without holding on to anything. Well this is all wonderful, except when he does it in the bathtub...which he did over and over last night. Joe's comment, "wait a minute...you cheer and clap when I do this, and now you keep telling me to sit down? Make up your minds!"

I am not a teacher

I've pretty much known this my entire life, so not really a surprise to me. When I was in college I knew math was my thing, well I've kind of known this my whole life too. Anyway, what can you do with math??? Teach it or keep track of it for someone else. I chose the latter and went for Accounting and Finance. Last week was another affirmation that I am not a teacher. I was asked to direct and teach a class for Vacation Bible School at our church. I gladly agreed. I'm willing to help and serve when I can, and this was a perfect way for me to give service to the church....or so I thought. Keep in mind that when I do say "teach" I'm using that term very loosely. You see, I had a class of 10 two and three year olds. So basically what I did all week was attempt to keep order and make sure no one got seriously hurt. Throughout the week, I was able to relay to these young minds some of God's teachings and words, but I'm not really sure if VBS was more for me or the kids. I think that was God's way of teaching me that I have a lot to learn...especially about patience.

Toes

As a child I remember running barefoot in the summer. I also remember how painful it was when I would stub my toe. It's been so hot here lately that the girls have been running through the sprinklers in the evenings...at least the evenings when its not storming! Ellery comes in today to go potty and I look down and her big toe was bleeding. Assuming that she had does this a while ago and daddy took care of it, I asked how her toe was. Silly me. She looks down and see's the blood and immediately starts to cry, well, more of a scream-cry...and limp (which she wasn't doing right before I asked). There's something to be said for the power of suggestion.

May's pictures

Grady's Baby Book

He started to walk again. Joe was across the room calling for him. Grady took a few steps away from the train table and sood still. I think he realized what was going on a didn't know what to do, so he just stood there for about 30 seconds. Then, slowly squatted down and craweld the rest of the way.

Molly's Baby Book

YAY!!!! We are officially and completely out of pull ups! Molly slept in undies last night....AND there was not mess to clean up this morning! For awhile, she's said "when I'm 5 mom." Yesterday she turned 5 and last night she reminded me that she was going to sleep in underwear. Then she asked, "Mom, do you always wear the same pair of underwear?"

(Note added on 5/29...the next day) Wait, did I say that out loud? Did I actually say that my oldest child was not in diapers anymore? Hmm...I must have because she's back in them now...after PEEING IN OUR BED LAST NIGHT...but on Joe's side. =)

Things I need to Post

In no particular order...
1. My sister's visit
2. My mom's visit
3. Phil and Nickie's visit
4. Grady and the bug at Gregory's
5. The Binky boy
6. Baking (Erin, I'm that far behind!)
7.Paige's wedding invites
8. Pictures of the kids rooms...that are almost finished.
9. Ellery's BD party.
10. Molly's BD party...which hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure I'll still be trying to catch up after its over. So at that rate, I'll add...
11. Grady's 1st BD party.
12. Yes, another trip to the ER (we seem to be regulars)

So, bare with me and check back. I promise I'll catch up soon...

Being a mom

Ellery says to me, "Mom, I wanted you to get married. I wanted you to get married for a long time, so that you could be my mom. I'm glad she believes that you have to be married to have kids. I hope she'll believe that until AFTER she's married.

Grady's Baby Book

He dances when he hear music. Well, dance is a relative term. He holds on to whatever is around and bounces up and down. So cute!!!

Grady's diaper

I come back into the playroom from waking Ellery up from her nap. Molly says to me, "Mom, I think something just happened in Grady's diaper."

Molly's Baby Book

Well, its not really a baby book anymore, more of a life book. Anyway...two events. The first, apparantly over the last month, her 6 year molars have been coming in. All 4 of them. I had to look in her mouth tonight because there was some blood on the toothbrush after I brushed. I was shocked! The bottom two are over halfway in and the top two are just breaking the surface. We had no idea. No complaints, nothing from her. Although I guess she's always been a good teether. The other exciting event...she woke up with her first dry diaper....ever! We were trying to see which of the girls could get out of diapers first, so gave them some incentive...a race against each other. Well, last night was the first night of the race. Molly won. She got up and went to the bathroom on her own all night. Dry diaper this morning. I've been asking her for months to do this, so why all of the sudden? The bribing could have had something to do with it.

Daddy's home

Joe's back from "Yew Nork" as the girls call it. He had a few days of business and then met his brother and father there for a "Boy's Week" in NYC.

MORE TO COME, I'VE BEEN INTERRUPTED BY SOME LITTLE PEOPLE

Grady's Baby Book

He took his first two steps today!!!

Baby wraps

Nothing like a Friday morning, a cup of Java (read:milk) and taking your babies for a walk in their wraps. Hmmm, have they seen mom do this a few times? Molly came up with this all on her own!

Grady's Baby Book

He's standing on his own now.