Survival of the Fittest (i.e. those with the most snacks)

The first stage of our journey is over!  And I don't know why my font is this way -- hold on -- ok that's better.  The other is pretty but this is probably easier to read!

Anyway, Chopper and I have always enjoyed roadtrips and while it's harder with 2 small children in tow, there are still some fun things about traveling cross-country.  I love to see different parts of the nation, even if it is from the highway!  But I miss having Chopper with me -- you can only laugh so much about funny things with a 3 and 1 year old.

So a few travel tips:

I-35 is a hole through Oklahoma.  Don't plan on using a bathroom unless it's a gas station and don't even both getting out of the car!

Kansas is a nice state to drive through top to bottom.  There was a great info. center with a lot of pamphlets of different interesting things that I look forward to reading at some point.  I've been toying about doing a learning project with Megan about the different states and Kansas had some great ideas.

Pipe Cleaners will buy you 10 minutes -- maybe more if your kids are older -- they rescued me when we had an hour to go and Abby just lost it.  The pipe cleaners distracted her enough to stop the crying and get mind onto something else.

Snacks, snacks, snacks and a great drink leash by Make it and Love it.  It's under baby items or kids items I think, was super simple to make, and kept the girls fed and watered!

We saw the Wanderlodge!  A few years back on one of our trips, Chopper and I "drove with" this old Wanderlodge RV that belched black smoke and looked like it would die at any time but managed to meet us at all our major stops (it was weird). On our trip this time I saw the updated version -- still brown, still huge, but no black smoke and it didn't follow us around!

We ended up leaving my friend's house and getting in 4 hours before stopping in a hotel for the night.  I am soooo glad we did!  The last day was the longest and due to traffic and construction we tacked on many hours to our trip.  The hotel was ironic -- I managed to get the LAST hotel room available (probably in the area) due to Iowa's RAGBRAI.  That stands for The Register's (Des Moines Register newspaper I think) Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.  Anyway, it's a 7 day bike ride and we just happened to be right in the thick of it.  That seems to happen to us a lot -- we NEED a hotel when there aren't any available! 

Anyway, we're finally here and having a good time although it's been a lot harder for the girls to adjust this time around.  Nights have been hard and Megan has been not so nice.  If it doesn't get better we may have to go home early.  I hope not.  The weather is in the low 80s (as opposed to triple-digits in Texas) and I like spending time with my family.

No way!!!!

Ok I'll get to that part in a minute.  Today to celebrate Pioneer Day, our stake had a pie-o-neer celebration (haha) with games and pie eating.  It was a lot of fun!  We took one of Megan's friends along so that his parents could hold a garage sale with one less thing to worry about.

So excited!  We had all three kids sitting across the middle seat and the first 10 minutes was fun and games and then it became too much touching and poking and general unhappiness.  I'm very glad I don't have to go on a long trip with Megan and Abby right next to each other!

 This picture just struck me as funny because it was exactly the same except on the night setting.  Apparently, Megan is as white as the moon and that's why she shines so much.  That poor girl has inherited my skin . . . 

 Yay!  Facing forward finally!  Abby is much happier.

 Zach liked holding Megan's hand which was cute but then when the hugs started, Chopper's daddy antenna started going off.

 There was cotton candy and popcorn and face painting.  Megan actually held still for this -- you know why?

 Because she got a rainbow and kept telling me, "I'm Rainbow Dash!"  She loves My Little Pony right now.

We ate pie.  Mine didn't win but it sure tasted good.  Abby actually only had a few bites and Zach ate whatever he could get his hands on.  Yes, we returned him to his parents properly sugared up!

So this is the "no way" part.  I'm standing in the cultural hall watching the kids play and just seeing who's there from my ward that I know when I see this Elder standing over there . . . 

I taught this kid as a freshman!!!  How old am I????  He was not this tall when I taught him though but generally looks the same.  He told his companion I was the teacher who got mad at him for bringing a pillow to class.  He's right -- only because he used that pillow to go to sleep in my class!  Actually, he was one of my good ones but I was very surprised to see him because first --what are the odds (he's not serving in my ward but is in another ward in my stake) after all the places I've lived to have that happen and the Dallas mission stretches from south of Dallas out to the Louisiana and Oklahoma state lines; and second, my freshmen will probably always be 14 in my eyes so it was just weird to see him as a missionary.  And I remembered his full name!  He couldn't believe that.  He said he's been out about 8 months so he's at least 19, probably 20.  Where does the time go?  It was fun to talk to him.

Now I'm A Mom

Child #2 (that would be Abby) is now taking steps on her own and without bribery!  Now cousin Liam can finally stop gloating!!!!

Yes Grandpa, that is a volcano on her head.  But you will be happy to know that we do not go out in public like this, it's just because it's the only way I can keep her hair out of her face and I need her to concentrate on walking!

But that's not what finally makes me a mom.  I love Megan, I really do, but we've had a total change in lifestyle since Abby became mobile that never happened with Megan.  Our lives now include the following "modifications":

Trash cans have been placed in an unreachable area.

Toilet lids are closed and bathroom doors are closed.

If I don't want it climbed on, anything that gives Abby an extra INCH of height must be removed -- pillows cannot be on the floor by the coffee table and as of last night the bathroom stool has to leave the bathroom while Megan is in the tub -- Abby fell in (and was fine, I was sitting right there) while trying to reach the bubbles.

My purse now goes up high.

My pantry is in a constant state of disaster from where she's gone in and emptied what she can reach (she likes to sit in boxes), and whined about what she can't.

Toys now migrate to every area of the house.

Need I go on?  Yes I know, these are normal baby-toddler behaviors.  But they did not occur with Megan. It's a whole new ball game now.

In other news, I've been busy putting things together for a trip and have been experimenting with pie for our Stake Pie-o-neer Day Celebration (haha).  The result?  A little bit dry apple pie and not the prettiest but kind've good.  Next on the list, lemon meringue.  Mmmmmm.

Megan really liked painting rocks the other day.  Her art skills are getting really good.

 This is just a giant dragonfly that was sitting outside our window today (on which the blinds have been raised partway so that Abby doesn't play with them . . .).

And another ridiculous volcano shot just for Grandpa because we know how much he loves them.  We promise no volcanoes when we come to visit!

Just a Few Things

Abby finally took some steps today!  The bribery?  Me!  I was cruel I guess because she was whining and chasing me down and so I stood her up, started her walking, and then scooted away.  She took about 3 steps before falling into my arms.  Does that count?  We tried again later with M&Ms and got one or two controlled steps out of her.  I guess I'm kind've pushing her to walk BEFORE we get to Grandma's house!

Her vocabulary is getting better as well.  Today she crawled to the fridge and said "milk" (well, not quite that clearly).  So add that to cracker, dada, ball, and clock and we've got a girl who mostly still whines to get what she wants.  But we love her!

Just an Ordinary Life

I realized it's been over a week since I've posted but we haven't done anything big so I guess just the ordinary update is in order.

 We are a cookie loving family!  I've had to make them twice in the past week (oh darn) for various reasons and Chopper and the girls have been very happy about that.

 Those fat cheeks are full of cookie and yet she's still eyeing what Megan has left.

 Megan has hit a really big coloring phase.  And look how good she's doing!  This morning I thought she slept in, so I took my shower and took my time and while I was getting dressed she finally came in and told me, "Mommy I've been coloring for a while."  Hey I'll take it if it means a few more minutes of sleep!

We've been preparing for vacation and since it involves 20 hours up and 20 hours back (just me and the girls -- Chopper is staying home) I've been hitting all my favorite places looking for cheap books and DVD's to entertain the girls on the drive.  Today at one of thrift stores I found this:

 $34.00  Good deal right?  I thought so.  But them when the lady rang it up, apparently today was 50% off on all toys and this was labeled as a toy.  So, 1 plastic outdoor house for $17.50?  Well worth the money -- and then some.

Happy Independence Day!

Ahh, the 4th of July!  There's no holiday quite like it.  I love that it's so relaxed and celebratory.  A lot of other holidays have a lot of stress associated with them in the preparation, but not this one!

We kept it really low key this year.  On Saturday while Chopper was at Scout camp, I took the girls and joined some friends for a parade in their "town".  It was about 10 minutes long and maybe a hundred people in attendance -- perfect for the girls (and I liked it to!).  There was candy throwing, stuffed animal throwing (you think I'm kidding), free food, fun at the park (Megan actually went down the slide -- GASP), and sweat covering every inch of my body.  At 10 a.m.  Welcome to Texas.

Since Chopper had my camera at Scout camp (with extremely strict orders not to let any scouts touch it or let it get eaten by raccoons), Aidan wonderfully sent me these cute pictures she took of the girls.  She has a great perspective, I just might have to hire her!

Today, we started off by going to the pool!  Our neighborhood pool has been under construction for several months for a reason I don't really understand but that warranted tearing the entire thing out and starting over.  I'm kind've glad now that they did!  It's a nice pool with a shallow toddler area and goes 4 feet at the max.  Chopper wanted it to be deeper but I like it because it prevents too many jumpers and divers and bigger kids because it's not fun enough for them -- but safer for us.  It took a little time for the girls to both get used to the water and the idea but after being there for an hour, they didn't want to leave.

Oh yeah, Megan is sitting in a ring, wearing water wings, and carrying a pool noodle.  No way this girl is going under water!

After lunch and nap, Chopper fired up the grill (of course -- that man is so proud of his grill)

 and we had hot dogs, teriyaki kabobs, chips, watermelon "on the rind" (Megan's favorite) and pink, white, and blue cupcakes.  Liquid red food coloring just is not red!  But they were fun and Megan yelled "Happy Birthday!" when she saw them -- which I think was appropriate.

And now to bed for the girls while Chopper fixes running toilets (he has been exercising lately -- haha).  No fireworks for us this year.  Dark enough isn't until about 10:30 p.m. and our town has a fireworks ban, not to mention the burn ban in effect over 80% of the state (worst drought in 100 years or something) so we'll just have to see the broadcast of . . . wherever they broadcast from!  That's ok -- we have lots of years ahead of us for fireworks!

Oh and as a side note -- these are a few of our favorite things:

Megan sings ALL THE TIME!  She sings during the hymns in church (totally off), makes me repeat songs in the car until she learns them (including Praise to the Man -- I've learned that one well) and makes up songs all over the house.  Well, you can only take so much kids music but radio is always iffy and I don't really listen to current stuff anymore so I've been introducing her to musicals.  She loves them.  But they do take a little time to learn.

Abby loves to swing!  We need to get a real swing set so that they can both swing, but amazingly, this girl holds on and does it big kid style.  And she complains very loudly the entire time Megan swings and when we make her get off.  She LOVES it!

The other thing she loves is me.  I'm not saying that to brag -- she just wants to be held by me ALL THE TIME!  And if I try to hold her any other way, she pulls and scoots until she is on my right hip with one arm at my shoulder and her thumb in her mouth.  She is completely a momma's girl! 

4th of July decorating

I am ridiculously proud of my fireplace mantel for the 4th of July this year.  If I had the option of a fireplace, I probably wouldn't take it -- not with young kids anyway -- because it's kind've a worry.  But since I have one anyway, I LOOOOVE decorating the mantel for different holidays.  Part of the reason for that is that I can do it on a very limited budget (sometimes nothing) and it makes at least part of the house festive!

Ok so the picture in the middle doesn't fit AT ALL but I don't have anything holiday appropriate to put there.  The subway art on the side came from The Crafting Chicks as a free printable and turned out sooo cute.  The rest was kind've slapped together from what I had around the house -- including the books, and yes they are all American authors and/or collections!

I'm totally bragging here, but why not?

Since the next major holiday (for decorating purposes anyway) isn't really until Halloween, I think I'm going to do a family display next.  That is if my family members would send me pictures -- AND IF YOU'RE READING THIS AND I DON'T HAVE ONE YET THEN GET CRACKING!!!!!

I love you all.

15 Months Old, Really?

Abby's 15-month well-baby check today confirmed what we already knew:  She's still a teeny-tiny one.  I was hoping that she would be big enough to flip forward in her car-seat but it looks like it's going to have to wait another month -- she only weighed in at 18 lbs. 13 oz.  Yup.  Third percentile.  Height?  28.5 inches -- Fifth percentile but her head is rather large -- 44.5 cm or Fourteenth percentile!

Then somehow or other they figure out body mass index.  I'm not sure why but are you ready for this?  Forty-sixth percentile!  So we have a little, fluffy girl.

But I've got to bulk her up before we go to Michigan so she can face forward for the 20 hours drive.  Doughnuts sound good.  Ice cream too.  And I know she wouldn't object!

She's Standing Up!

I remember when Megan finally started walking that there were a few shaky days and then she just took off.    Looks like we're in for more of the same!

This morning Abby's sitting in my lap while we read and just stands up!  No hands, just straight from sitting to standing.  She held it for a few seconds and then was done.  After church she started doing it again and got a big kick out of all the attention and applause that came with it.  She's now stood up so many times today that she can hold it for almost a minute AND clap.  I guess practice does make perfect!

Well of course Megan doesn't want to be left out, particularly where there is praise involved.  She got the idea that if she helped Abby with her walking, well then she gets kudos as a great big sister.  It hasn't all been fun and games though -- she doesn't understand that when Abby starts to go down, you need to let go.  We've had a few wrenched arms and hard landings.  But overall, it's working well!

Walking may not be too far away!  Good thing too.  Apparently their 10 month old cousin is already taking steps.  Darn that Liam!  We'll love you anyway.

And the Nose Says . . .

Teaching Abby her sounds is going pretty well and quickly.  She also has a few basic words like dadadada (still doesn't know when to stop), cracker, and clock.  I'm not kidding, yesterday she pointed at the clock on the wall and said it.  Still not walking but it looks like I'm destined to have major talkers for sure.  Chopper is really good about teaching them language skills.  They're just not always the language skills that will get them far in the workplace or in life.  Case in point:

Now we just need to teach her that you don't honk other people's noses!

Fashion Frustration

Life would be much simpler if everyone lived in a nudist colony.  That doesn't mean I want to because I actually would really hate that, but it would be simpler.  I'm sorry, I'm ranting about clothes.  I can never seem to find cute clothes that are modest and won't cost me an arm and a leg.  After all, I can get the girls cute things for under 10 bucks, what about me?  It's particularly bad this time of year though because summer clothes are always sleeveless, too short, etc.

A friend gave me a gift card to Joann Fabrics and I decided that's it! (Not great idea that's it, more I'm very frustrated that's it).  I'm buying a pattern and some material and making myself a skirt!  Well.  Someone needs to explain to me how sizing works because I measured myself and started to make a size 20 skirt.  After getting the sides sewn together I realized that it was way to big.  Well than what the heck are the measurements for?  I pared it down and improvised in finishing a little bit and came up with this:

The lighting is terrible (I'm not sure why) and my carpets really are cleaner than that (but my room is usually not), but you get the gist of it.  It turned out really cute although still a little big.  One friend at church today even asked me if I bought it at Banana Republic!!!  Well, she did after I told her I made it so maybe she was just being super nice, but it felt good nonetheless (is that wrong to feel prideful at church?).  So I've decided that if I can just figure out what size I am (we'll see about that) then I'll make more skirts and only be frustrated by looking for shirts.  Well that's half a battle won.

By the way, Abby is still not walking (almost 15 months now) but she's mimicking and remembering things really well.  So we're working on her animal noises.

And Happy Father's Day to everyone!  Chopper said to me, thank you for going through all that pain to make me a father.  I'm not sure if that was a compliment or not.  At least, I don't really know if I want to be reminded of all the pain . . . but Happy Father's day anyway!

Success!!

Remember that pattern I won from Australian quilter Kellie W.?  Her website is here and you have to check out her amazing quilts!

Anyway, I don't know if it was an accident or if she is incredibly wonderful, but I actually ended up getting 2 patterns and a kit in the mail!  I know, I need to send her something back.  Seriously!  Anyway, I decided to try my hand at the easier pattern -- easier because the shapes are simpler.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE trees (have I said that before?  I'm pretty sure I have . . . ).  These are the results (drums please) . . . 

For my first attempt, I am very pleased!  Raw-edge applique is a lot harder than it looks to get a clean edge so that was just ok.  But then I quilted the background in a meandering pattern and I have to say, I'm getting better!  My forearms ache though, quilting is hard work!

Overall, if you're interested in this kind of quilting, I thought her pattern and directions were fantastic and easy to accomplish (except that it was hard work and tedious in the sense that you really have to watch and go slow).  The whole thing is about 17" square so it's going to go on Megan's wall (I have super secret exciting plans) and was a quick project -- relatively speaking.  And I will definitely be doing more!!

Well That Explains It

So we have at least one, probably two, adult rabbits hopping around here.  Our neighbors next door have a big dog so they don't get them too much but I am always finding their droppings in our yard.  It's delightful.  Especially when Megan puts them in the pool because she's all excited about the little rocks she found.

Well today in his never-ending war against crab grass, Chopper found a nest of FOUR (yes FOUR) baby bunnies.  He accidentally grabbed one when he pulled a clump of grass out so he brought it IN THE HOUSE to show us.  Such a thoughtful husband.

Cute as they are (the bunnies AND the girls), I'm thinking about disease of course (bunnies only).  He didn't let the girls touch it (thank you) but they got a big kick out of it no question.

Then he showed me the nest -- it's along the side of the house under the seeping hose so they must get dripped on quite a bit. 

 Can you see them?

 We got a little too close and they took off of course.  I'm a little worried about what will happen to them now that they've been discovered and one has been touched.  But I'm not really worried for their sake -- I'd rather the girls didn't discover a dead bunny one day.

I guess it's a good thing we don't have a garden this year!

Resolution Number One

I think my most favorite thing from The Happiness Project is Rubin's saying "the days are long but the years are short".  How true is that?  I see to have been so bogged down in long days lately -- always looking for the next thing to make time go by faster.  I know now that part of that is somewhat chronic fatigue that I'm having taken care of, but part of it is also my attitude.  

So my first resolution for my own happiness is to enjoy my children more.  That means that I often think to myself "the days are long but the years are short".  It's really come in handy lately actually.  First of all, Abby has been so clingy she screams if I put her down.  I keep telling myself that it's not going to be too much longer before she's too big to carry around AND she won't want to be!  And Megan -- well Megan is still three-years old, and had her mouth washed out with soap for the first time today.  I'm not sure if I want to write down the whole story here and save it for posterity but as a milestone -- there it is!  And I think to myself -- the years are short, this will end soon.  And then I remember that there are teenager years ahead . . . I need to stock up on soap!

Anyway, as part of enjoying my children more, today we made Bunny Buns from The Friend magazine.  They turned out really nice!  It's a basic bread dough with a hint of orange and sweet glaze.  We had a good time.

This was Abby's first experience "standing on a chair" and she took full advantage.  Can you see how the end of that dough near her is pulled and has a big hole in it?  That would be because I turned around for a second and when I turned back she had the whole end in her mouth!

 And then she needs her rest -- don't worry, I only let my children help (and taste and poke and lay on the food) when it's just for us.  I run a cleaner operation when it's for other people!!

This is sweet to me because it looks like they're working together and Megan is showing Abby how to do something.  She's not, she's just getting her own taste!

And one for me.  Abby loves to feed me.  But I draw the line at raw bread dough.  And certain other delightful offerings that only a 1 year old can give.

Don't you love her wings?  We're just starting into the I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-her-hair-because-it's-growing phase.

 I took a picture of Megan that turned out funny and when she saw it she asked for another one.  This is what she gave me.  Deliberately.  If any of you know my brother Jeff, you know that that is something he would do -- be goofy on purpose.  It made me laugh and think of him.

My resolution is working!

Resolve to Be More Happy

Gosh that sounds terrible.  Because I am, really I am.  But sometimes I get bogged down in the every day.  I found this fabulous book though -- ok found is a little strong because I heard about it somewhere -- and I loved it!  So uplifting and inspiring.  And I don't want to be redundant so my post about the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is actually here.  You should seriously check it out!