Adelyn's quote for the day and some other stuff

Adelyn's quote-

Yesterday we were outside playing when a few raindrops started falling.  Adelyn held her arms up to the sky and started shouting, "BUBBLES!!!" full of toddler excitement.  It was precious!

Now for some other stuff- Adelyn was sick last week.  She started throwing up Thursday and continued all day Friday.  I have never cleaned up so much throw up or washed so many towels/blankets on the sanitize setting!  Luckily she got over it in about 48 hours and no one else got the bug!  We were watching lots of TV to keep her calm and not upset her tummy.  She was exhausted and fell asleep in the chair- poor baby!

Since she was sick I also had her sleep in the crib for 2 nights so that she didn't throw up on Katelyn (plus the crib is easier to clean up than a queen size).  Katelyn was very sad and told me both nights that she was going to miss her, although she agreed that she didn't want to get thrown up on!  Here they are the first night they were back together.  Yes, Adelyn is laying on top of Katelyn's arm- they like to be close!

This is just a random picture that I took last night while Jared was reading to the girls before bedtime.  Sweet picture!

Thunderstorms and my little Momma

Okay, this picture doesn't have anything to do with thunderstorms, but it does show Katelyn being a little momma. 

Last night we had a major thunderstorm in Austin.  Jared and I were awake for a good hour and a half listening to the thunder, watching the flashes of lightening, and chatting as the storm blew.  We haven't had a storm like this in some time!  It was wonderful to hear God's power in the storm!  We were watching the monitor discussing how we expected one or both of the girls to wake up scared due to the sounds/lights.  At one point Katelyn started turning over and it seemed like she was awake, but we weren't sure.  Then Adelyn woke up just enough to whimper a little.  Katelyn, being the little momma that she is, reached over and rubbed her back to settle her.  Jared said that instead of being scared she was being a comforter.  It was a great visual of how God is our comforter in the storm of life.  He is always there to reach over and touch our lives. 

So thank you Lord for being our comforter.  Thank you for allowing Jared and I to see the sweet 3 second interaction between Katelyn and Adelyn.  Thank you for the rain.

What have we been up to in 2012?

1. Coloring!  The girls got a fun easel for Christmas and they both have been enjoying some time coloring/paining/and being creative.  

When Katelyn is really concentrating she sticks her tongue out- just like her Daddy.  When she is doing any art or craft project, you can bet that her tongue will be sticking out!  

Here she is having written the whole alphabet.  I had to help her with about 5 or 6 letters, but she was able to write the rest all by herself!  

2. Dance Parties!  Katelyn loves to dance and Jared, being the great dad that he is, will oblige her several nights a week.  

3. Circus!  We went to see the circus last weekend.  Of course I took one picture and then realized my camera is out of battery!!!  Oh well, picture elephants, clowns, cotton candy... You get the idea!

4. Hair cuts!  Adelyn got her first haircut!  Here she is before...

and after...  The lady who cut her hair commented on how good she did- she just sat and let her cut away.  We didn't cut much, just a little off the back, and even less off the top/sides.  

Katelyn also got her haircut.  She always enjoys a good haircut.  She got about an inch or two cut off the length.

5. JoJo time!  Jared traveled last week for work, so JoJo came to stay with us since I am so close to my due date.  The girls had a blast, and I enjoyed spending sweet time with my Momma.  We sewed, saw a 3D movie, played, shopped and just enjoyed time together.

6. Helping Mommy!  Katelyn is quite the helper.  She always wants to help wash dishes, and today she is going to help me vacuum with the hand-held vacuum.  

7. Baking!  Ok, really just licking the brownie spoon...

9. Sharing a bed (and pillow).  You would think with a queen size bed they wouldn't be this close, but they are... Every night!  They sleep right next to each other- too sweet!  If you notice, they are in the same position in this picture.  Love my little ladies!

Guess who is 22 months old?!?

I can't believe my sweet Ada-girl is already 22 months old!  I tell you what, it has flown by and we are so blessed by Adelyn.  This month she seemed to have grown up so much!  Her vocabulary is expanding everyday, it is so fun to watch her learn and grow! 

This month we celebrated Christmas, which to Adelyn meant gifts, stockings, food and fun with family.   

She is still our little eater and loves dip of all kinds.  If she sees someone else with dip she will clear a spot off on her plate, point to that empty spot and say "more".  She will eat whatever is served, but she almost always has a favorite and will point to where said item was and ask for more.  

Adelyn still loves babies.  This week she undressed one of her babies and took off for the restroom.  She was saying "poo-poo" as she ran.  I caught up to her before she dropped her baby in the potty to let it go "poo-poo"...  Speaking of the potty, Adelyn still likes to sit on the potty and will actually go in the potty a few times a week.  We still aren't "potty-training", just kinda let her go when she asks even though most of the time she just sits a minute, does nothing and then says all-done.   

Adelyn is able to entertain herself very well these days for short spurts.  One day she was very quiet in her room so I went to check it out.  She had filled the pack-n-play with toys then crawled in and played by herself (until KG joined her after about 10 minutes).     

Even with as much as she has grown up, I am still reminded that she is still young when she falls alseep in someones arms, or falls down and just needs a kiss to feel better.   

Adelyn is very much in love with her big sister!  They have really been able to play well together this month and for that I am so thankful!  One day we were playing outside and Katelyn said, "Hey Ada-girl, let's go for a walk and hold hands like best friends."  Adelyn thought that was a great idea, so they just walked around the backyard for several minutes holding hands.  It was precious, so precious that this pregnant/emotional momma cried as she thanked Jesus for sisters who love to just walk around holding hands. 

I just had to post his picture because of her sweet face- love it!  (and doesn't she look like her Daddy in the picture?!?)

Adelyn is becoming much more adventurous.  She likes to climb, swing, hang, crawl through tunnels...  If Katelyn is doing it, Adelyn wants to!

And of course the biggest news this month is that Katelyn and Adelyn are sharing a big girl bed.  I have already blogged about it several times, but each night I feel more and more confident that this was a good move to make!

Two days ago Adelyn woke up at 5:50 and was ready for the day.  Since I wasn't ready, I just got up and put her in the crib in brothers room so I could get another hour of sleep without hearing the girls talk. After I put Adelyn in the crib I heard Katelyn crying, so I went to check it out.  Katelyn told me she was sad because she loves Adelyn and she is going to miss her... Sweet girls!

What a sweet girl Adelyn is growing up to be.  She is still trying to test boundaries, and see what is acceptable or not, but overall she is pure joy and sweetness.  She loves to take off her socks/shoes/bow when we get in the car which drives this momma crazy, but I can't help but smile as I call her a turkey each time and she starts to gobble...  Happy 22 month birthday. 

The adventure continues...

Katelyn and Adelyn are still successfully sharing a bedroom.... or at least I think it is somewhat successful.  Katelyn naps in our bed since she doesn't sleep everyday and really just needs an hour or so of down time while Adelyn needs a full-blown 2-3 hour nap.  The bedtime routine is starting to settle in and I guess it is working.  Adelyn seems to take about 30-45 minutes to settle down at night.  I'm sure she did this in her crib, I just wasn't aware because I wouldn't turn the monitor on until we went to bed.  Adelyn will crawl over onto Katelyn, try to share her pillow, talk, etc.  Katelyn just lays there and ignores her for the most part. 

Here is how tonight has gone/is going: 

• put them to bed at 7:30
• 7:31-current time: watch the monitor like a hawk because I don't want them building bad habits of playing, getting out of bed, etc.
• 7:45- Go in and put Adelyn back on her side of the bed because she was laying on Katelyn
• 7:55- Hear Adelyn say something that sounded like 'diaper', look at the monitor to see she had thrown something....
• walk into the room to see she has removed her diaper, thrown it across the bed and is laying happily in just her nightgown.  Katelyn is sound asleep.  Replace the diaper, tell Adelyn night-night, she asks to be rocked (I can't say no to that), rock her, put her back to bed.  Katelyn is still sound asleep. 
• 8:17- Hear Adelyn making monkey sounds, look at the monitor to see her laying across Katelyn's head (who is still sound asleep).  Go in, move her back to her side... 
• 8:22- Look at the monitor to see Adelyn reaching over and pulling Katelyn's hair- Go into the room, give Adelyn a spanking and tell her to not touch her sister (who is of course, still sound asleep!)
• Maybe we are done for the night? 

I don't know, after re-reading that, maybe this isn't so successful?  Oh well, they will learn to deal with it (obviously Katelyn already has learned to deal with Adelyn) and I guess so will I... 

34 weeks

Well, technically I still have 2 days until I reach the 34 week mark, but close enough :)

I figured I'd give a little update on the pregnancy since we are now on the home stretch!  Baby boy, brother, Jared Jr., little man- so far, those are his names.  We have a short list of 3 names, but are yet to make the final decision.  We do know his middle name will be Jared. 

We have made some progress on the nursery.  The curtains are sewed and hung.

A few canvas wall decorations are hung and I replaced the pink storage baskets with blue.

I covered the lamp shade with some fabric to match the rest of the room.  I have a pegboard that is waiting to be spray painted blue and then it will be hung next to changing table on the wall. 

I am still feeling pretty good.  My back is quite sore most of the time, but that is to be expected at this point.  I can hardly hold Adelyn anymore, she's too heavy and my hips have disappeared, so I have no where to 'rest' her...

Brother is quite the little kicker!  He is head down, so he pokes his little bottom up in my ribs and then kicks the side.  Katelyn gets very excited when she gets to feel him kick.  Adelyn still doesn't understand, but she will ask for "baby" and want to touch my belly. 

 I had an appointment yesterday and found out that I'll be having another ultrasound at 37 or 38 weeks for a growth check.  My doctor is concerned that he might be big since Adelyn was just under 9 pounds. 

I still have some organizing to do, but overall, we are getting close to 'ready' (as ready as you can be for an infant) for baby boy to make his appearance.  We are prayerful that he will continue be healthy and are excited to meet his little man!

Our newest Adventure

Well, we took the plunge last night and moved Adelyn into bed with Katelyn.  Katelyn was super excited to share a bed and has been talking about it for a good month now.  

After saying our prayers and closing the door I sat upstairs waiting for them to attach each other or something along those lines... I was so grateful the only issue I had to worry about was Katelyn telling Adelyn to "Stop talking Adelyn, stop using your mouth..."  I told Katelyn to stop talking and that was the end of it.  They were asleep within 15 or so minutes.  

Then Adelyn woke up this morning about 6:45.  I heard her on the monitor so I watched to see what she would do.  She proceeded to lay on top of Katelyn.  Katelyn was still pretty sleepy and didn't say a word, she just let her do whatever.  I went in once and Jared went in once and put Adelyn back on her pillow.  After the second time she stayed there until I went in to get them at 7:15.  Overall, I think this adventure was a 100% success.  I am so proud of how well they did and excited to see how this will make there relationship grow into better friends!

HSU New Years 2011

This was our 8th annual HSU New Years Reunion in Austin.  We had a blast catching up, reminiscing about the past and anticipating the future.  We missed seeing several of our friends, but completely enjoyed the time with those who made it!  The weather was amazing so we spent lots of time in the back yard letting the kids run and play, watching the guys play games and enjoying each others company.

We had lots of yummy food just laying around.  I'm pretty sure I didn't stop eating the whole weekend.  The kids loved having all the special treats around.  Adelyn asked for a cookie after breakfast this morning.  Looks like it may take a few days to break these bad eating habits!

Nolan (Derek and Jenny's little boy- 1 month older than Adelyn) is a total gerber baby! Look at that cuteness!

Katelyn had a BLAST playing with Brinley!  She has already asked when Brinley is going to come back to play.  Brinley is such a joy and has a sweet, laid-back, fun personality... She also lives in a musical which is 100% her momma!

The boys decided to have a little fun this year so they went to play paintball.   Highlights- Rocky shot Jared in the head.  They ganged up on a 14 year old while playing. They were all sore the next day- they aren't in college anymore!

The girls had some fun too!  We had brunch at La Madeleine and showered Ashlee as she prepares for Kress to arrive in February.  We are so excited to meet the newest member of the HSU crew!

Monday we went to the mall for a few minutes and on the way home Adelyn fell asleep.  That wasn't unusual as it was close to her nap time.  However, Jared carried her in and she remained asleep- that was unusual!  She was worn out from all the playing, running, eating, and fellowship with sweet friends!

We are so thankful for all our HSU friends.  The Lord knew just what He was doing when we became friends 12 years ago with all these amazing people.