Monday, January 26, 2015

12 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: Getting this girl to put on her hearing aids, has become a CHORE this week. She doesn't want to wear them... which is weird, because they help her. It kills me. She's SO excited about our trip this week, that this whole week she's been telling everybody about where she's going and who she's going to see. She's been a little tattler this week... all she does is call out everyone and their behavior. I'm not sure where she picked this up... but she does it... I guess it's pretty age appropriate, but still. She's been a big helper though... and I honestly don't know how I would be able to survive with two babies without her help.

Marley: Oh this girl and her temper. She is okay one minute, and the next, she's a hot mess. She's the happiest little girl, but if you get in her way, or don't let her play with something that she's looking to play with, game on. We're working on it with her, but right now, nothing seems to stick with her. She loved reading lots of books this week, and enjoyed playing outside. She loves bouncing on the trampoline, and still doesn't want to wear shoes most of the time. She makes me laugh a lot though. Anytime music is playing, she's dancing. Anytime I sing to her, she's dancing. She's the dancing queen.

Finn: Oh he did SO well this week with bedtime (but naps sort of were a hit or a miss for him). Almost every night he was in bed and fast asleep by 8 o'clock. Except on the eve of my roadtrip departure... he stayed up until 11... it was as if he knew I needed to get SO much done. He is talking up a storm... to anything that'll listen... whether it's a person, a stuffed animal, or a ceiling fan. He's jabbing away. He still hates rolling, and absolutely hates tummy time. He can spend countless minutes sitting up in the bumbo, or playing in the exersaucer. This week,  he had some crazy milestones with eating solids. He loves avocados, sweet potatoes and bananas. He'll be trying butternut squash, pears and apples next. He loves it though... has quite an appetite. He doesn't want just one meal a day... he wants at least 2.

Me: I'm SO excited to leave the house, and head off on an adventure. Everyone that I've talked to about it, thinks I'm crazy, but really... I just need out of the house. I'm so excited to see my dear friends down in Texas... and although it's quite the hike (10.5 hours), it's totally worth it. I'm sure on next week's post, I'll have a lot to say about that. This week, I was able to cross of some items on my "projects" list. FINALLY. I still have countless things on it. I also started a list for you, for when you get back! It still feels like forever until you're home... but, that's okay, hopefully with February being a shorter month, it'll go by quicker.

Story of the Week: This week has been mighty quiet in the "story" sense. Of course Charlotte had a lot of "one liners"... and Finn laughed at himself after he tooted. While my parents were here, my Dad took on Runyan's litter box as "job"... it was the sweetest gesture, not just to me, but to Runyan too. He changed it twice in the 6 days that they were here.... 1.5 weeks later, and I completely FORGOT to change it... well, sure enough, Runyan was sure to remind me... he pooped RIGHT outside his litter box... Yes cat, thank you for your reminder... noted. That will not happen again.










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Monday, January 19, 2015

11 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: Not much new stuff has gone on this last week since I last wrote. I mean... these kids are changing daily, but I don't see it... because I see them everyday. But, SO many people are raving about Charlotte's teeth, and how she's talking now that she actually HAS teeth. She's growing up tremendously... and I tell her to slow down, but she doesn't listen. She's cracking me up with her jokes still, and she's always trying to find ways to make Marley or Finn laugh... it's truly the sweetest thing. One thing I noticed about her this week... when she colors, she takes on the personality of whatever it is that she's coloring. So, today, she was coloring a picture to go along with a story she wrote for her phonics schoolwork. She had to draw a picture of a cat that was chasing a bird. While she's drawing the cat, she starts "meowing"... and the other day she was coloring in her Frozen book... and boom, she's talking like Hans while she's coloring him. Or she's singing "In Summer" while she's coloring Olaf. It's HYSTERICAL. I absolutely love watching where her mind goes.

Marley: We've had some great days, and some terrible days this week with this little one. She's teething (those eye teeth are finally coming in) and she's just a witch at times. It's tough to get her to listen these days... she has a one track mind. She's everywhere in the house making messes... I can't keep up with her these days. I almost want to pay Charlotte a few dollars to follow her around, and clean up whatever she does after she's done doing it, just so I don't have to. At the end of the day, she has started cleaning up and organizing the toys in the living room, so long as you sing the "clean up" song to her. It just doesn't work any other time of the day.

Finn: This little guy MUST be going through a growth spurt. He's over 15 lbs (at least that's what our scale says). He's been waking up to eat every few hours at night again... it's murdering me. But, it's what he should be doing right now, and I can't hold that against him. He's eating avocados like a champ... and even had his first taste of sweet potatoes, which he really liked. He's only eating a few spoonfuls at a time, but it seems to be hitting the spot for him. He's had some bad days where he's been totally gassy (I'm sure it's his tummy getting used to introducing solids)... but as soon as it passes (literally and figuratively) he's good to go, and is in a fantastic mood. He also went in the stroller for the first time this week without the car seat adapter... and LOVES it. He enjoys walks so much... that it's almost like the same thing as being in the car.... he automatically falls asleep.

Me: I've been trying to take one day at a time. I feel like I'm forgetting something each day... that I missed something on the calendar... but so far it doesn't seem like I have. Trying to get things in order, in order to visit my dear friend down in Texas next week. So looking forward to being out of the house for a little bit... I have a mile high project pile that needs to be tackled before I head anywhere though. But, as always, as soon as I go to do something, the babies wake from their naps... so they seem to never get done. The weather has been so beautiful... that it's also hard to sit down and get stuff done. Who can say no to walks and playing outside when it's in the 70's in winter!?! I started to "eat clean" again last Sunday, and it's been fabulous. Down 3 pounds officially... and SO much more energy than before.... which is a big deal. I'm even drinking decaf, and not regular most days. I know, it's crazy!

Story of the Week: This week, it felt like Charlotte has been burning holes in her leggings like it's her job. Seriously. She has 8 pairs of leggings, and by the middle of the week, 5 of them had big... I mean HUGE, holes in the knee area. When she came up to me to show me her hole on her 5th pair, I said, " REALLY... AGAIN... Charlotte, the next time you get another hole in your leggings, you're going to spend the rest of the day naked... because I'm tired of all these holes that are destroying your pants."  I was so frustrated. These leggings are perfectly fine, it's just that she's constantly crawling around on the ground/floor with Marley and who knows what else. Two days ago, I was coming out of the shower (the babies were napping) and I looked outside and Charlotte was jumping on the trampoline BUTT NAKED... I kid you not. I quickly put on my robe, marched myself over to the back door and yelled at her to come inside. I asked her why she was naked...  she went over to the garbage can, and pulled out legging pair #6, that had a HUGE hole in the knee area... and said, "Well, you told me that if I got another hole in my leggings that I'd have to spend the rest of the day naked...." Guess we're headed to the outlets this weekend to get her some pants.






















And today, pair number 7 bit the dust (as you can see from the photo above).
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Saturday, January 17, 2015

lots and lots of playing

Sunshine... has never felt so good.... after days and days of bitter cold temperatures and gray skies... we finally have beautiful blue skies and warmer temps. We were starting to get some serious cabin fever... but Oklahoma's bipolar weather has been in our favor for the last few days, and will continue to be for a bit... We've been playing with friends, playing with each other... lots and lots of playing.

We all might be a little sun-kissed on our faces... and we're totally okay with that.








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Monday, January 12, 2015

10 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: This was the week of just getting back into a routine, especially after Omi and Opa left... and the holidays were over. Every morning, she asks if she can have the day off from school. I ask her for a reason why I should give her the day off... and it's never a good one, so back to work she goes. She is doing amazing in school. Like seriously kicking tail. She's an amazing speller, and just enjoys everything she's learning. She also has declared that she wants to be a dog sled racer as her hobby... crack.me.up. SO random. But that's her... full of random comments and questions these days.

Marley: Oh this one has been a doozy this week. She's just a spunky girl... or so I tell myself everytime I shake my head at something that she's doing. This week, every time I asked her what she wanted for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack... her answer was, "cheese." The kid can eat cheese, like it's her job. She says "yolo" for yogurt, and "boobear" for blueberries. Every week it's all new words. I think I'm going to need to make a name/word key book for you, for when you return, just so you can understand her. If you don't understand her, just pretend like you understand what she's saying, because if you don't... then she really doesn't like that, and screams at you instead.... or she gives you "the eye". I'm not sure which is worse... screams or "the eye". She's getting used to her "shiner." Every time someone says something about it, she points to it, and says, "owie." It's precious, and sad at the same time. It's going down pretty quickly though... thanking God that it wasn't something worse.

Finn: He's FINALLY started taking to normal nap times (as soon as my parents left, go figure). Every morning, he goes down between 9-10, and sleeps for a solid 2 hours. These 2 hours are PRECIOUS to me... they're an amazing gift. We're still working on his afternoon nap. He likes to split it up... 1 hour around 2:30 and then hit or miss with a little catnap before bed. I'm thinking once he starts moving more, he'll have a solid afternoon nap as well. He's still not sleeping through the night... but, we're getting there. For now, we're trying our best to teach him how to roll (he really hates it.) He'd much rather stand up and hold our hands. He's even trying to sit up on his own (as you can see in one of the photos below).

Me: It's been a little rough trying to get adjusted to making everything work with just my set of hands again... but it's happening. I'm already dreaming of the day when you come home from work, and help entertain the kids while I cook dinner, help with bath and bedtime... doing it all by myself, is getting so super draining. My to do lists have been tossed out the window, and I'm really just trying to focus on surviving one day at a time. Who needs to think ahead, right? Although my days are busy, my nights seem SO sad and lonely without you. Especially because Finn is going to bed around the same time that the girls are. So, the last few nights since my parents have left, it's just been me, and FRIENDS on Netflix. I'm SO thankful that I really never watched that show growing up. I only watch 2 episodes before I pass out, because I'm that tired. Oh, and this week I started back on my "clean eating" adventure... should be good. It's only been 1 day... but so far, so good. I forgot what it feels like... and I'm looking forward to that energizing feeling that it brings.

Story of the Week: We were in the commissary this week... the fridge looked "sad" as described by Charlotte... so we had a lot of food to pick up. While we were strolling along, one of the retiree grandpa kind of guys walks on over to Marley. He takes a look at her (she's sitting on the top part of the cart) and says, "Well aren't you a cutie" and she sort of becomes a little shy, but flashes him a smile. He looks a little closer, like brings his head right next to hers and says, "And you must be a tough one because of that" as he points to her her poor shiner on her eye. Immediately, as she hears him say the word "tough", Marley starts ROARING like a lion... He laughed at her, and pet her head... as though she were some sort of animal that needed to be tamed.













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Friday, January 09, 2015

On My Toes

Marley got her first black eye, well really it started as a HUGE egg on her forehead from her face plant into the fireplace... and it needed to be documented, even though it certainly looks WAY better than it did a week ago, or even a day ago. I caught her in the guest bedroom dancing on the bed with her doll today... just twirling around in a circle and giggling over and over as she tossed her up high and waited for her to fall onto the bed. I'm so lucky to be this little girl's Mommy... I never tire of the job. Even though it keeps me on my toes most of the day.







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Tuesday, January 06, 2015

9 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: This week, with my parents visiting... your little girl has been busy. She wants to show off all her new skills... "hey, watch me do this... look at me now... check out what I can do..." She's our little show off. She's been doing cartwheels all over the living room... just a bundle of energy that one. She's loved having them around though... talks off everyone else's ear... not just mine. When they head out tomorrow, it's going to be so tough... complete Omi and Opa withdrawl for her. For all of them.

Marley: This week, Marley has really been a handful... a stubborn, thick headed handful. We've been working on sharing, and "please"... but it's something that's SLOOOOOOWLY being learned. There were many "sorry"s that she had to say this week... lots of smooches and hugs she had to give out to apologize for her behavior. The very first day that Omi and Opa came, she tripped and banged her head into the fireplace. She had a HUGE egg that blew up over her left eye... we were pretty scared... it didn't look too pretty. But no signs of trauma... and after a few minutes of tears, she went about her day. It looks now like she got a nice shiner... wish there was a better story to go with it, but sadly, there isn't. She's a tough one though.

Finn: This week, Finn has been able to have some help in the testosterone department having Opa here. He is calmed down by his voice, and it's so sweet. He definitely liked being held as much as he was... having tons of attention, and looking at faces other than Mommy's. Something has been keeping this guy up... he's so crabby at times. Today for instance, he only slept 1 hour out of the entire day. He had one 40 minute nap in the morning, and a quick 20 minute nap in the afternoon.... he just fought sleep ALL day long. He wasn't always crabby... in fact, for the most part he was content. But, it meant that much couldn't get accomplished. Hoping this is a fluke day, and that he'll go back to sleeping well and what not soon. I'm guessing a major developmental leap... but who knows.

Me: I've SO enjoyed having my Mom and Dad here visiting... for so many reasons. For the extra hands to help, for the adult conversation, and to see them love on our little ones. The time always goes by so quickly... It's going to be super tough to see them go tomorrow. Airport drop offs are the worst... I feel like I have PTSD, from the day that we dropped you off. No doubt tomorrow will be spent cuddling the babies and reminiscing over all the fun we had with them. I'll ease myself back into single parenting, and have low expectations for the rest of the week.

Story of the Week: On New Years Eve, I decided to take a shower (since it had been 3 days since my last)... and I did so while Finn was napping. I told Charlotte to keep an eye on Marley for me, and made my way in. When I came out (about 15 minutes later), I heard tons of giggling on my bed in my room. All of a sudden, I hear the little beep that happens when you click on my iPhone to summon Siri... and "Siri, what's your favorite kind of pizza?" says Charlotte. "I don't have a favorite kind of pizza", says Siri. (giggle giggle, beep beep) "Siri, what is your favorite ice cream flavor?" says Charlotte. "I'm not partial to any one particular flavor." (giggle giggle, beep beep) "nah dah tak gab aba gaga na na ma ma" says Marley. "What's that, I didn't quite catch what you're saying." says Siri. (beep beep) "ma ma moo moo shine in bwi..." says Marley. "I don't seem to understand you." says Siri. I died of laughter... I'm fairly certain they played with my phone, trying to talk to Siri for over an hour... apparently she makes the best kind of sitter.

While Dad and Mom were here, we made our way to the Art Museum in OKC, and also to the Science Museum... here are a few photos that I snapped while at the Art Museum... surprisingly, your oldest daughter did AWESOME... she loved everything about it.








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