Lacey's 4 Months Pictures

After the doctors appointment today we went and had Lacey's pictures taken. What a trooper, she slept a little bit on the way over to Sears after the doctors appointment and when she woke up she was in a great mood. I decided that if she didn't feel up to it after her shots I wouldn't push the issue, I was so happy that she was smiling when she woke up. We got some great pictures of her, and I wanted some Mommy and Me pictures too. I tried to get these during her 2 month pictures but I wasn't very happy with the results, these are much better! See for yourself, enjoy!

Lacey's 4 Month Doctors Appointment

Today I took Lacey to her 4 month doctors appointment.

Everything went well she weighs 14 pounds 12 ounces and was 24.75 inches long. She is in the 75 percentile for both weight and height. She has gained exactly 3 pounds 4 ounces and grown 1.75 inches since her last appointment.

She received 3 shots and an oral vaccine. She did great she cried only when the injections were given. Kylie did not go with us, she went to school. Because after the last time she went with us, I decided it was too traumatizing for her to see the shots. Especially since she has to get 3 before she goes to Kindergarting and is already worring about them!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

When Greg and Kylie were playing ball, Kylie threw the ball to Greg, he missed and Kylie's reaction was "My Bad!"

Kylie was playing with some of Lacey's toys hanging on her carseat while driving home after school. Lacey was really having fun watching her and one of the times Lacey let out a giggle. You know the giggle that only babies can do, that instantly makes you laugh no matter what kind of a day your having. Kylie starts laughing too and says, "Oh Lacey that is the funniest laugh I never heard!"

Standing with a pillow on her head Kylie says, "Daddy is my hair good and fashionable?"

This weekend it was so nice outside (60 degrees!) and Kylie wanted to play outside and she wanted me to come with her "right now". I told her I couldn't because I had to take care of Lacey right then. So her answer was "fine I'm going outside and then look out the window and I'm going to sit on the steps and look sad." So I went to look out the window but she wasn't ready yet and Iwas told to "hold a minute, OK now look" She proceeded to get into position and look down at her lap like she was the saddest little girl on the planet, then all of the sudden jumps up and says, "Did you like that, I was really good at b eing sad!" with a huge smile on her face. Then she went on with her playing. I swear she's going to be an actress!!

My personal favorite, on the way to school today Kylie says. "Mommy I just love being with you and Daddy." We love being with you to sweetheart!

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Well lets just jump right into this, here goes:

I did not taste my own breastmilk, to make sure that there wasn't dish soap residue still in the bottle -because that would be just way wrong. It did not suprising taste really bad - more like sweetened skim milk. There was way too much in the bottle to waste - couldn't do it.

I'm sure there is more I could add to this list but this is all I can remember for now. Check back later today I'm sure I'll be able to add more to the list.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

When we were visiting Nana and Papa last week Kylie was talking to Nana and this is what she had to say to her:

"Nana smoking is only for old people so you shouldn't do it" (Nana really loved this comment for obvious reasons!)

Kylie received a book about whales and this is what she told Daddy about Orca whales:

"Daddy do you see this whale right here (pointing to the picture of the whale) it's just like 'Willy the Whale' (from Free Willy) its and Orca Whale but sometimes people call this a Killer Whale and I don't know why because it doesn't kill stuff"

That's all for this week! For more Tiny Talk, check out NotBefore7!

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not go to the mall this weekend only to come out in a pouring rain and forget where I parked. All the while listening to Kylie tell me that she thinks someone stole our car. I did not begin to belive that might really have happened after where out in the parking lot not looking for our car for approximatley 3-5 minutes. We were not at all soaked (Lacey was perfectly dry because of the stroller she was in) by the time we got in to got to home.

I also did not give Kylie Oreo Cakesters when she told me she was hungry a half an hour before dinner and could she please have an apple? I really didn't have any apples. Even if I did do something like that I certainly would not admit to it. Nope, not me!

I'm sure there is more that happened over the last week I could write about but at this moment I am simply not remembering it, really.

Kylie and Lacey's Pictures

On Saturday I took both girls to the mall to get Lacey's 3 Month pictures taken. When I told Kylie where we were going she asked if she could take some pictures with Lacey too. I told her yes and thought to myself I'm probably not going to buy any of them since I was really just going there for Lacey. However after they were taken and I had to make a decision on which ones I was going to purchase it became very obvious very quickly I was NOT going to get out of the mall without spend too much on pictures. Here's what I purchased as you can see they turned out so cute I couldn't not buy Kylie's pictures too! Ugh, it's tough having cute kids :)

Lacey Singing

Lacey has recently discovered her voice because of this she has been doing a lot of 'singing' lately. It is so cute I had to video it. Here is enjoy!

Another Swimming Video

Here is Kylie swimming again, I just can't get enough video of her because we are so proud of her! She is doing such a great job and has come quite a long way since we started the swimming lessons:

MacGyver

A couple of nights ago Kylie decided that it would be a good idea to break into the bathroom when Daddy was in it with the door locked of course. She wanted in and Greg told her to wait just a minute, of course she didn't want to wait so she took matters into her own hands. Here was her tool of choice:

What she used is a book light, there is an LED light on the round end and it clips on the other end. She somehow figured out (on her own) the if you stick the narrow end of the clip into the slot on the outside of the door and turn it the door will open.

Greg said he was amazed as he watched the door knob turn and the open only to see her all by herself standing in the hallway when the door opened. Giggling the WHOLE time. He thought I had shown her how to do it or that I was helping - neither is true. I've never shown her and I was putting Lacey to bed at the time all this was happening.

Truley amazing that at 4 1/2 she figured it out all by herself. I think we are going to be in BIG trouble when she gets older!

Cinerate

This was our conversation from this morning while getting ready for school:

"Mommy do you know what cinerate means?"

"Cinerated?"

"Yeah cinerated"

"No, what does it mean"

"It means to be really happy!"

"Oh you mean exhilerated"

"Yeah cinterated that's what I said"

"O K "

Kindergarten Round-up

Last night Greg and I went to Kindergarten Round-up for Kylie. We were able to learn about what her day will entail and got a tour of the school. When we got there the principle asked Kylie if she would like to go with her to the Kindergarten room and to our surprise Kylie went! I really didn't expect that because Kylie is usually very shy around strangers. It really made it a lot easier to listen to the teacher and hear about the school (Lacey slept through the whole thing). When it was over we went to get Kylie thinking she would be wondering where we were, on the contrary, she did not want to go she was busy coloring a picture!

Its hard to believe that she is already old enough to start Kindergarten in the fall. From what I heard tonight Kylie is more than ready to go to school as far as her academics go. Just from going to preschool and learning from us she already knows a lot of what they will learn in the first half of the school year.

Her two biggest fears about going to kindergarten? The shots she needs to get (3) and the fact that her friends that she has now in preschool won't be there. I'm sure she will makes friends very quickly, she usually does.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTEN!

Just wanted to wish my nephew Tristen a happy 3rd birthday. Three years old, wow! Time seems to just fly by, seems like yesterday you were just a little baby. Now you are a big boy and too soon you will be going off to school and Mommy and Daddy will wonder where the time went! I love you so much, you are a blessing to our family. I really wish I was able to see you more but the distance between us just makes it so hard.

Rub a Dub Dub

Lacey has so much fun playing in the tub s you can tell by this video. Really she is getting too small for this tub, it won't be long and Ill have to get her a new one!

The Dime

At preschool Kylie has been learning about some of the presidents in honor of President's Day last Monday. In fact on Friday the teacher was asking who the first president was and only Kylie know it was George Washington and that he was pictured on the quarter(proud Mommy moment). Unbeknownest to me they have also been learning about the different kinds of coins and how much they are worth. Now Kylie is extremly intriged by all of the coins. So last night Kylie was looking through my change and wanting to know what president was one each coin. So the conversation went like this:

Mommy who is this on the nickle
I'm not sure, I think it is President Jefferson (suprised myself when I looked it up on the internet and I was right!)
Oh, who is this man on the dime
I'm not sure, let me see it (as though the picture is going to help me) I think it is President Roosevelt (again suprising myself that I actually knew it)
No Mommy I think it is "John Palin"

I'm not sure who John Palin is but do you think this could this be a mixture of John McCain and Sara Palin's names? Because she know who was running for President and keeps asking when John McCain is going to be President, of course not understanding that he lost the election

Banana Bread

Tonight Kylie and I made Banana Bread. She loves to help me bake, she was so excited to get to taste the bread when it was done. Here she is helping me mix the ingredients.



Here she is with the finished product, and she loved it!

3 Months Old!

I can hardly believe it, baby Lacey is 3 Months old already! Where does time go? She is a wonderful addition to our family.

Playing in the Snow

Kylie wanted to go outside today. Of course I thought she would only last a few minutes because I couldn't go out with her (had to care for Lacey) and she really doesn't like to play outside by herself. To my suprise she played outside for at least 30 minutes and boy was she tired when she came in. She was so excited when she came in, she said, "Mom I had so much fun playing outside today!"

Eating snow, this is one of her favorite things to do with snow.

Using her rake to make a snow building.

Who's who?

Can you guess who is who?

When you thought I wasn't looking...Written by a former Child ...a Poem

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one..

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher or friend) influence the life of a child.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Swimming

This time I had my camera ready, here is Kylie swimming the full length of the pool - by herself with no bubble. We were so proud of her, I think she is possibly turning the corner with her self confidence. We have always known she is capable of swimming like this but she has not always known it. Hopefully after two weeks of proving to herself that she can do it she will want to swim on her own instead of fearing swimming on her own.

Happy Valentines Day

We had a nice day here. We went out to eat and enjoyed our day together as a family. This is also Lacey's 1st Valentines day, it's crazy a week from today she will be 3 months old already - time to take more pictures (don't tell but I haven't even gotten her 2 month pictures sent yet).

Here is a picture of Kylie at her "Friendship Day" party:

Autism Sunday 2009

Today I discovered that Autism Sunday the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome took place on Sunday 8th February 2009. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has invoked God’s blessings blessing on parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

His Holiness the Pope will be praying for the Autism Community on Autism Sunday. Cathedrals, Churches and religious organisations are to pray for over 60 million people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome around the world. All faith communities have been urged to do more for the Autism Community particularly during the deepening global recession.

Here is the song for Autism, ‘Open Every Door’ released as a film on YouTube. The song is sung by the Asian superstar Gresha Schuilling and written by singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis. ‘Open Every Door’ is released through Media Eye Music in London.

Churches and religious organisations around the world are using ‘Open Every Door’ as a point of reflection. It is a moving song about a child or young person with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

Our Snow Family

Yesterday Kylie and I played in the snow and had fun making a snowman family, here is the results of our fun:
Kylie has her hands on the snowman that is supposed to be her. If you look close you can see a very small snowman next to her that is supposed to be Lacey. Mommy and Daddy are on the other side of her.

Kylie Swimming

Kylie has come along way on her swimming. On Thursday durning her swimming lessons she swam across the pool and back without her bubble and did great! She was clam all the way over and back, below is on the way back. Of course I didn't have my camera ready when she started, ugh...

Making Cookies

Kylie and I made cookies for her treat day at preschool, she had lots of fun decorating them. She was ver methodical about where the sprinkles went, none of them over lapped the other colores. We made them on Sunday but her treat day wasn't until today and believe it or not we still had enough for the entire class. Even though everday this week I heard "Mom can I just have one cookie?"

Lacey's 2 Month Pictures

Here we go again, today Lacey and I went and had her 2 Month pictures taken. I can't believe she is 2 Months Old already, time just flies and it seems like it is going even faster with Lacey than it did with Kylie. We tried to wear the headband with the bow, however she didn't really appreciate it and her hair really didn't look right with it either so we took it off.

She and I also took some pictures together that I'll probably put in a seperate post, I really didn't like how they turned out so I may try and take some with her again during her 3 month picutres.

She did an awesome job, I was so happy that she cooperated and showed off her beautiful smile. A smile that can brighten even the darkest of days. Gosh I love her!

Just being happy.

Her biggest smile

Sweetie

This one says I'm up to no good..

The scowl

My favorite

She's A Future Rock Star!

Happy Rocker

Serious Rocker Face
Rockin' Out

Lacey's Photo Shoot

These pictures were taken last night after daycare and Kylie's swimming class. As you can see she is in a great mood, must have had a good day at daycare. Lately this is all she does is smile, smile & coo, and smile some more! We love it!

Lacey smiling and cooing:

Lacey telling me about her day:

Singing

The following videos aren't really a videos at all they are just audio. I have finally captured Kylie singing one of her made up songs. She sings all the time and I never seem to be able to catch on a recording, so I'm very proud to say I finally caught some songs.

In the first audio clip you need to turn up the speakers at the beginning because it was a quiet moment in the song, she turns up the volume a few seconds into it:

The below video is another one of her songs. You should be able to hear it at regular volume right from the beginning.

Lacey's First 2 Days at Daycare

I am happy to report that all is going will for Lacey at daycare. All of the caregivers tell me she is an angel (which of course I already knew). She seems to have fallen right into a routine and their nap schedule already. She loves to sleep, she is usually awake an hour and then needs more to sleep some more. Of course she made me a liar when I told them she eats frequently and only 2-3 ounces at time. The first bottle she had she at all 4 ounces and has been doing that ever since and only eats every 3 hours - which is perfect especially for daycare. Both days when I've come to pick her up someone was holding her and when she got home she was all smiles. Of course the smiles melt my heart...she is perfect.

Lacey is 2 Months old!

I cannot believe Lacey is already 2 months old! Where does the time go?! She is such a happy baby, lots of smiles.

Here are some of Lacey's likes/dislikes...

She sleeps for 5-6 hours when she first goes to bed, she wakes up usually between 2:30 and 3:30 and easily goes back to bed. She wakes again usually around 6:30 which is perfect because that is the time I'm getting up to get ready for work.

She enjoys her space and her own quiet time. She likes to lay on her changing table and just look around or "talk" to Kylie (which Kylie thinks is so neat that her sister can "talk" to her). She also enjoys being in her bassinet and just looking at the ceiling and her surroundings.

She sometimes puts herself to sleep with out much rocking from Mommy. Mommy really likes to rock and cuddle but sometimes the only ways she will go to sleep is for Mommy to put her down.

She likes to talk to Daddy, Mommy, and Kylie. She gets so excited when we talk to her. She loves to listen to Kylie sing.

Back to Work

Today is my first day back to work. To say that I was not ready to return is an understatement, however it is what is necessary for our family. I don't think there would ever be a time when I felt I was ready to go back to work and leave my baby with someone else to care for her - even though I know she is getting great care. It was hard to leave her this morning however, as I was getting ready to leave she opened her eyes (she had been sleeping) and smiled at me as if to say, "I'll be fine Mom". I kept my emotions in check when I left her, I was quite proud of myself actually because I was emotion last night just thinking about it and then this morning on the way to daycare they reappeared. When I left Kylie the first time I was an absolute wreck and I expected to be the same way this time but actually I felt at peace when I left Lacey, could have been the smile she gave me or maybe its because this time I'm comfortable with who I left her with (it was only the 2nd time I'd met them when I left Kylie) or maybe both. Either way it was so much better this time.

Of course I felt the need to call and check on her and of course she was doing just fine as expected. She was being a star student eating and taking her naps like a champ.

Greg picked up Kylie at little bit early to spend some extra time with just her before he has to go back to work (a little Daddy-Kylie time, she loves it) and said he saw Lacey and she seemed to be happy. So that made me feel good too!

Now I need to work on creating a good routine in the morning so we could actually be on time instead of 45 minutes late!

Here is her picture for her first day of daycare:

Lacey's 2 Month Doctors Appointment

Today I took Lacey to her 2 month doctors appointment, I almost cancelled it because it is so cold out. The high today was -2 and it was -16 when we left for the appointment. Everything went well she weighs 11 pounds 8 ounces and was 23 inches long. She is in the 75 percentile for both weight and height. She has gained exactly 4 pounds and grown 2 3/4 inches since birth. Thats 2 pounds and almost and 1 1/2 inches per month - growing like crazy!

She received 3 shots and an oral vaccine. She did great she cried only when the injection was given. Kylie on the other hand cried for about 5 minutes because her sister got shots that she didn't want her to get. She was very upset that it hurt her baby - nobody should be hurting her baby! She is very protective and especially does not like it when Lacey cries. I hope she is always this protective of her sister.

Smile!

I finally caught Lacey smiling on camera. She has been smiling for the last couple of weeks but I could never seem to catch her. Here are some pictures of her smiling, Enjoy!

Look it's Popeye!

Like Father, Like Daughter

The Dentist

Yesterday I took Kylie to her 6 month cleaning at the dentist. On the way over to the appointment she told me she was going to be a big girl and go back to the cleaning by herself. Of course I thought when it came right down to it when they called her name she would change her mind, however, she did not. When the hygienist called her name she went with her and told me she would see me in a little bit. Lacey and I waited in the waiting room during the cleaning and in a short while she was done. She had no cavities and the hygienist said she did a great job.

Funny story that happened as we were leaving: I was holding Lacey and the hygienist came up to us and was looking at all of Lacey's hair and said "Oh this must be SARA!" I said no it's Lacey. Apparently Kylie told her that her sister's name was Sara and then in the waiting room she changed it to Emily Elizabeth! The whole waiting room was laughing at Kylie.

Look A Likes

Can you guess who is who?

Postpartum Visit

Today I had my 6 week postpartum check. I was happy to find out that I am lucky enough to have lost all of the baby weight I gained while pregnant. Now I have another 10 pounds to go and I''ll be back to what I was when I got pregnant with Kylie.

Kylie and Lacey did very well at the apointment, I was a bit nervous taking the girls with me. When Nurse Jan asked Kylie what her baby sister's name was Kylie told her Emily Elizabeth. This is what she wanted Lacey's name to be, our deal she could call her Emily Elizabeth and everyone else would call her Lacey. The funny part is she only calls her Emily Elizabeth when we are out in public and someone asks her what Lacey's name is, at home she calls her Lacey. When I explained this the Jan she had a hard time taking my blood pressure because she was laughing at Kylie.