photo shoot - A&E

I'm home on another snow day after Blizzard Nemo dumped over 2ft of snow on our world over the weekend.  More on the blizzard later.

I took the opportunity at home to actually take pictures of my girls.  I got more of Abby as this was during E's naptime...but it was fun.  I can't remember the last time I just took pictures of them just because.  I should definitely do it more often.  Besides preserving these fragile and fleeting moments of their youth - it was just a fun activity for all of us.  I apologize if the quality is off.  These have been compressed a few times to get here.

My girls.

 goof

sometimes I just can't choose between color and b&w

this is what they did when I told them to sit down

this is her real laugh

to remember a few things

A few hodgepodge details I want to remember years from now.

- E won't say water.  She calls everything "milk" or "juice"  I can ask her to parrot any word and she will try - and then I'll say "can you say WA-TER?" and she'll just look at me, smile, and shake her head.  When we're brushing teeth, she asks for more "milk"  When I turn off the bath water, she points to the faucet and cries "Miiiiilk!"

- Just this week, E has started calling me "mum"  I have no idea where she got it, but it is very clearly not "mom" or "mama" or the "mommy" that she used to use.  She still says the others some, but most of the time - at least this week - it's been mum.  And, you know?  It's really cute.  She had a really really great weekend with no real tantrums and she was cuddly and helpful and cute.  When I walk into a room, she cheerfully says "Oh!  Hi Mum!"  or when she was helping me put away groceries - she brought over a bag of apples and said "Here mum! Here da Bapples, mum!"  really cute.

- Relatedly, I took them to target a few days ago, and I let them get whipped cream in a cup as a treat from starbucks (mix with chocolate powder and whole milk - it's a free milkshake!)  Abby has always called it "ice cream" But, because it's in a coffee cup, E calls it coffee.  At one point, she tipped her cup over and says - loudly - "Oh no Mum! Me Coffee!  Me Coffee spiwwed Mum!"  It was funny.

- She's a little obsessed with coffee.  Not drinking it, of course, but she gets really excited about identifying it.  So, if Kyle and I make coffee at home, or if we get it at a restaurant - she excitedly says "Coffee!  Dats coffee!  Hot? Dat's Daddy's Coffee?  Coffee hot?"  And we'll let her feel the cup to confirm that, yes, it's hot.  I gave her a teaspoon taste of my coffee last week for grins and giggles.  She tasted it, and - to my horror - started smiling and nodding her head.  But, after swallowing it - she frowned and shook her head and said "no" I asked her again if she liked it and she confirmed "no. no coffee" *whew*

- Abby said the other day that if we have a boy, we can give him to Jen (nanny).  When I pointed out that she would have a lot of fun teaching him things, she said "I can only teach girls, mom.  I can't teach boys anything!"

- We are hosting playgroup this afternoon and Abby is very excited.  I just got a report that she won't play with any of her toys because she wants to "keep things nice for my friends"

- Yesterday, I asked Abby what she wanted to be when she grew up.  She said "A garbage collector"  When I asked her why, she didn't miss a beat before responding "Cause I like the stinks"  What in the world am I supposed to do with that?  Other than laugh, obviously.  I like that "stinks" is plural.  She will make a fine garbage collector one day.

- E calls Abby "Babby"  and we sometimes catch ourselves doing it too.  Abby likes it when E says it. She doesn't like it when mom and dad say it.

- E loves to play with things that Abby is playing with, naturally.  She also likes just playing with things that are Abby's.  If Abby comes over and tries to take it back - then E gets aggressive and pretends like she's going to bite Abs (she's not going to actually do it - but it makes Abby let go so quick, that E knows it's her most effective strategy)  BUT - if Abby is sad about not playing with something - if she is hanging her head, pouting, or crying....E can't stand it.  She always comes over and gives the toy to Abby and says "here ya go babby"  It's sweet.  So far, Abby doesn't seem to realize she could manipulate this.

- Abby is at the age of wanting to understand everything and wanting to be included.  It is commonplace for her to interrupt me or Kyle while we're talking with an annoyed "WHAT are you guys TALKING about??"  So, we're working on manners that revolve around waiting your turn and not interrupting - but once we explain what we were talking about - she's satisfied.  I kinda like that she wants to understand.  I remember feeling that way as a kid, too.  Listening to my parents talk and feeling frustrated that they weren't talking on my level.  It's tough being a kid, sometimes.

- I've now taught E that my belly is synonymous with baby.  I'm 100% certain she has no concept that there is an actual baby in there....but, she will "play along" and hug my belly, pat it, kiss it, or poke it and say "baby!" or "hug baby!"

And now my lunch break is over.  I'll write more later :)

halfway

We are, officially, halfway through this pregnancy.  That seems strange on several levels.  Mostly because I know the second half is when you look and feel pregnant - everyone knows your pregnant and all the baby naming and planning and dreaming start to take a stronger place.  So, in some ways, the 20 week mark feels like the start of a pregnancy.  In other ways, of course, it feels like I've been pregnant forever.  September was a long time ago.

At 20 weeks, I'm feeling good.  Our last ultrasound showed that baby looked happy and healthy and so while we will continue to get growth checkups due to the 2-vessel cord - there's nothing much to worry about now.  Baby kicks are only getting stronger.  I started feeling them around 15 weeks this time.  By 16 weeks I was sure of it.  But this baby never really gave me "flutters" that typically come before kicks - the very first time I felt him/her -it was a kick.  S/he's a strong one.  At this point - they are regular, strong, but not yet bothersome happy little reminders that there is something growing in there.

I've managed to avoid maternity clothes so far.  Oh how things change from baby #1 to baby #3.  I remember being 16 weeks pregnant with Abby and being SO excited that I was finally big enough to wear maternity jeans.  For real.  16 weeks.  I learned from that experience, and didn't put on the additional elastic until 20 weeks with E.  So, I'm happy that I'm still wearing my regular clothes with this one.  Admittedly, they're modified now.  My favorite jeans still fit - but they no longer button.  So, I'm using hair-ties to band things together for a little while longer.  And I'm wearing more and more dresses. I started this pregnancy 10lbs lighter than I did with either of the girls - so I'm hoping that will help me avoid pulling out my maternity wardrobe for another week or two.

Most of the cravings (salty and briny things) that I had to some degree early on are all evened out now. I had previously lost my appetite for sweets, but I think I'm back to normal now.  I don't crave anything in particular most days, I don't hate anything either.  But, I will say - when I need something - I need it Urgently.  If I'm dehydrated - I need water NOW.  If I suddenly decide that chips and salsa has to happen - It's all I can think about until it does.  And the feeling you get after you satisfy those random cravings....so wonderful and totally worth it.

We still haven't opened our gender envelope.  I still want to.  Kyle is still on the fence.  So, we'll see.

I do have a list of names in my head that I'm eager to compare to Kyle's name list.  Although, there are admittedly a few that I really really love and I'm afraid to share them because I'm afraid they'll be rejected too quickly.  So, I'll hold off until Kyle has shared his lists first and we'll cross our fingers that there is common ground from the get go.  I think coming up with a boy name will be easier as we've not used any yet.  A girl name will require more brainstorming...although, I certainly have some ideas ;)

Abby is very excited about the baby now.  She's been talking a lot about giving things to the new baby.  "Mom?  These shoes don't fit me anymore, so I'm just going to save them for the new baby"  She also is 100% convinced that the baby is a girl and refers to "her" as such consistently.  When we ask her "what if the baby is a boy?" Abby just shrugs her shoulders and says "I dunnnnoooo..."

I kinda feel the same way ;)

I worry about Elizabeth.  Sweet E who will now be the middle child.  Elizabeth already has a difficult time sharing me.  If I tickle Abby - E runs over saying "Meeee tooooo!  Meeee tooo!"  Same goes for hugs or games or any attention.  To be fair - if I'm tickling E, Abby usually runs over and asks to be next too.  But, Abby is older and better at waiting.  E is not.  I worry that she's going to have a hard time after the baby comes with all of that.  And while, I know that it would 1) be normal and 2) pass with time - Abby had such a smooth transition to big sister-hood that I worry about being ill prepared for helping Elizabeth through it.  

But, then one day - they will all be playing and laughing and plotting against me and I'll think "this is perfect"

In truth, I am very excited about having 3.  With the moments of sheer panic and worry aside - this feels so very right.  I can just tell, in my heart of hearts, that this was absolutely the way things were supposed to be.  3 is going to be perfect....messy and loud and stressful and crazy perhaps....but perfect.

morning ramblin'

I have a few minutes before my  next thing, so I thought I'd try to write for a second.  I don't have anything in particular to write about - so, let's' start with the girls.

Elizabeth is getting to be less and less of the baby everyday.  Her increasing toddler-ness is ever present.  Her vocabulary expands constantly, she can do things on her own increasingly often, her hair even fit into a ponytail this week.  :)  She's just getting to be so big.

She's a really funny child.  She's always trying to make us laugh and usually has Abby in a fit of giggles over something or another.  She's also far more stubborn than Abby was at this age - at least according to my memory.  This is the age where she is learning that sometimes the answer is "no" even after you ask for something so nicely and say please so sweetly.  She's not very good at handling those rejections yet. Typically she pouts, sometimes she stomps and crosses her arms, sometimes she melts down.  Luckily, redirection isn't usually too difficult - but I'll be happy when this overly dramatic response to the smallest slights phase is past us.

E is still really into her trucks - she got lots of transportation toys for Christmas and she plays with them most often.  Every night she asks to sleep with her truck book, but we've managed to keep them on the shelf for now.

Now that she is *finally* getting over her cold/cough - E's appetite is back.  She's a great eater most of the time.  She's learned to get out of her high chair pretty easily since we took of the tray attachment and just pushed her up to the table...but we're working on it.  Usually the threat of a time-out for standing in her chair or crawling out is enough to keep her in it.  If she does get a time out - she responds well.  Knock on wood, she's never tried to get out of the corner...it's a matter of time, I know - but for now - I'm happy that the time outs are enough discipline for her.

Of course, the thing E loves more than anything in the world is Abby.  She calls her Babby.  And I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.  E will follow Abby anywhere - but a lot of the time, E is the one to instigate the game or activity with Abby. E has always been more assertive and physical than Abby was at the same ages.  Watching them play together is the best thing in the world.  I can't think of anything better. And Abby is so good with Elizabeth - she loves teaching her things and showing her things.  This morning, while they were brushing teeth, I heard this exchange:

Abs: "Hey E, can you say Battery?"
E: "Baary"
Abs: "try again.  Bat-er-ee"
E: "Batty"
Abs: "How about we try it in Spanish.  Can you say Battery in Spanish?"
E: "Barry n spash"
Abs: "Great job!"

The conversations they carry on amuse me to no end.  We told the girls a few weeks ago about how they would be sharing a room once the new baby came - Abby was very excited about the idea.  She instantly went on and on about how they would stay up all night talking and talking.  I have no doubt they will.

In baby news - I had another ultrasound yesterday to double check for spine and heart abnormalities.  The doc said everything looked great.  So, I don't have to go all the way to Children's now to get the fetal ECG done.  And I'm just fine with that.  I'll still get monthly ultrasounds to check growth due to the 2-vessle cord, and they'll continue to keep a special eye on the heart and spine just to make sure things continue to look good - but I'm not worried about it in the least.  Yesterday's scans were kinda fun because I could see the baby jumping around on the screen AND feel it at the same time.  Pretty cool.

The gender-envelope is still un-opened, but I still plan on opening it at some point.  Just gotta convince Kyle that we should and figure out how and when.  I think the idea of accidentally finding out again (they accidentally told me E's gender at 38 weeks) is one reason I'm so motivated to find out the gender this time.  It's less of finding out if it's a boy or a girl and more of - I want to find out on my own terms. I told Kyle that if they slip and tell me again on accident before I open that envelope - that he loses all rights to opinions from here on out.  ;)

All righty - time to get back to work.  I'm so glad it's Friday and there's a 3-day weekend ahead of me.  So. glad.

iphone picture dump

Just a random bunch of pictures from 2013 :)

Abby asked if we could put out a fire.  I though this was the safest way to do that.  

She had fun :)

The girls at work with me for day #2 this year.  Movies, popcorn, suckers, toys - working is FUN! 

airport family :)

baby #3 - most recent ultrasound

Abby got a Tag Reader and loves it - I love it, too.

Soap-E

Abby made *quite* the tea party for her friends a few days ago.  There was a lot going on. 

American cowgirl fairy PJ girl

Armstrong hair...sorry kid. 

Abby is way into puzzles lately - it's so much fun to watch her figure it out :)