Alex - part one!

Meet Alex. One of my best friends just had twins 3 weeks ago today and this is her sweet, precious little boy, Alex. I got the priviledge of shooting them this weekend so there is sure to be more! All in all, it went well. Each child urinated once, Cori got the brundt on one and her robe got the other. We fit in some feedings, changed a diaper or two and shot some pics in between = )

We had some friends over for the Husker game on Saturday. This motivated both Mark and I to clean the house. (Mark did most of the labor). It looks fantastic. We'll see how long this will last. The game was rather dismal but the kids and adults enjoyed the company.

The time change is always hard for the kids. They were up at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday and today. I was able to get Schuyler back to sleep this a.m. but not little Mack. She will be tired by the end of the day. Sunday was a gorgeous day and we spent a chunk of the afternoon outdoors. Schuyler has been enjoying watching volleyball with her daddy. It's kind of their special activity. She must be catching on b/c she was trying to jump serve the ball. Pretty funny! She has also decided that her flower girl shoes make great tap shoes on our kitchen floor. As cute as this is, it's extremely loud. Mack is into leotards lately. I'm sure she gets the inspiration some what from her sister.

Oh, just one last funny story. Their is a toilet sitting in our garage for when we redo the main bathroom and get rid of our pale green 60's toilet. Mack had disappeared into our garage and I couldn't figure out what was taking her so long. I hear a little clunk and walk in to see Mack putting the toilet seat up with her pants and undies already down. As I'm telling her that this toilet doesn't work she has a little accident and in a small little voice says "I pottied". Bless her heart she was just trying to make it to the closest toilet. Ha!!

My 'lil flower girl

Isn't she darling!! She was a busy little bee the day of the wedding but she sat with me for a few minutes eating her sugar cookie. Gosh, even remembering back those few weeks ago, I was so proud of how well behaved she was and what great manners she used. She really is turning into a big girl. Last Thursday, when I was feeling terrible and just lying on the floor as the girls watched a movie, she came over and was stroking my face and loving me up. She even said "I will take care of you until daddy comes home."

Last night was parent teacher conferences. Both girls are doing very well and are developmentally on track for their respective ages. It's good to know that Mack exhibits some of the same behaviors at school as she does at home. Some are good, some need to be worked on. They include: sometimes challenging adults, sitting frontwards and still at the dinner table, using walking feet instead of running feet, wanting to help both older and younger people. She will most likely move to the primary room where Schuyler is in December or January.

Schuyler has made great progress even since our last conference 6 months ago. She is almost completely finished with her sound book. She is working on the "teen board" learning both concrete and abstract math. She also exhibits behaviors at school similar to those we see at home. She is either hot or cold. Meaning, when she is interested in something she is very intent. On the opposite end, she is not a child that can be coerced into doing something which she is not interested in. I think this will be a challenge for her when she enters the public school system. Mark and I are in agreement that she will go to the Montessori for Kindergarten so this may change after another year.

We will probably get the girls a "special" treat tonight to celebrate. Charlie Brown's "The Great Pumpkin Patch" is on tonight so I'll see if the girls are interested.

Overdue pictures are here!

Do you remember this post? "Weekend Recap" Well, finally you can see some of the madness, LOL! Yes, those are my girls licking the cookie dough of their toes!! Fall brings out the "chef" in me. I think I mentioned the apple crisp. My baking streak also includes pumpkin cheese cake (out of a box), and a ginormous spaghetti pie. Last night I made homemade chicken fingers with butternut squash. Yummy!! I used a mixture of flour and corn meal with some seasoning.

I'm slowly recouping from this yucky cold and unfortunately have shared it with my husband. I'm hoping the girls don't get it. Mark was able to steam clean most of the carpeted areas in our home while my mom, the girls, and myself were in Omaha. The pics from my bro and sis-in-law's wedding are gorgeous. We did just a little shopping and I purchased a cute tutu skirt on sale and found a YELLOW leotard for Schuyler that she will get for xmas. Shhh - don't tell her. I exchanged a ledge at Pottery Barn and then we had lunch w/ Uncle B. I was exhausted when we got home. Dad offered to take the kids overnight which was awesome. I went to bed early and got some much needed rest.

The kids love pumpkins this time of year. They both do pumpkin scrubbing work at school. Sunday we let them paint our pumpkins and last night they cleaned out the "carving" pumpkin so we can carve it tonight and make pumpkin seeds. Yummmm!

I had a Dr. appt today. Baby and I are doing good. Heart Beat was 157 and he measures right on for Jan 8th. My blood pressure was 96 over 62 and weight is good so we'll go back in a month and after that appt I'll see him every 2 weeks. Can't get over how fast this has gone!!

They learn so much!

I'm amazed and astonished by how much the child's mind can retain. I got the opportunity to observe both girls at school without them noticing me. I got to see Schuyler concentrate intently on her sound box and work. This is a box where each letter is labeled. In the box contains one or two objects beginning with that letter. The child is to say the word. Then, in a sound book they have hand made, they write the beginning first two letters. For example, the prior week was snowman and another 'sn' object. Ms. Ann, the director, changed objects this week. So, now there was scoop and another 'sc' object. Schuyler is very interested in writing letters and numbers as well as learning to spell. She likes to work on it at home.

The toddler room is always a busy atmosphere with kids in motion since there concentration period is much less. I did observe her reading a book and all eyes and ears were on Ms. Krystal for story time. Mack has an extremely large vocabulary and Mark and I are always surprised by what she says. She is also very good with songs, knowing many by heart. Wheels on the bus is still one of her faves but she also sings 10 monkeys jumping on the bed, wide and deep, and the one that goes "skittlemerrinkadinkadink, skittlemerrinkadoo, I love you. I love you in the morning..."

I have caught a nasty cold and ended up taking part of Thursday off as well as all of Friday. I feel like I'm starting to recover today so hopefully I will continue in this direction. Hope you all have a great weekend.

The Easter Egg Pic

Yeah! I was also able to post the Easter Egg pic I referred to in my "Fall" post. Go Blogger!!

No Witty Titles!!

Finally, Blogger has decided to post pics again! I can't believe it's Monday already. Where does the time go? We had a nice weekend. Mark golfed in a 4-man tournament at Quarry Oaks on Saturday. It started as a chilly morning but ended up being a nice day and they did well. The girls and I went to breakfast at Hy-Vee with papa and then returned home and did some housework. A small piece of advice to any expecting women out there. When a physician tells you not to move heavy objects, you should listen. I decided to move an old recliner from the basement. As I was 3 steps from the top, I felt a pain in my back and instantly knew I had done something. At that time, Schuyler pipes up and says "Mom, you should wait for Dad to help you". I should listen more to my 4 year old. Grandma stopped over to visit and stayed for lunch. After Gma left, all of us girls took a nice nap, even Schuyler!! We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon playing outside.

Sunday was a little more low key. We went to the Roca pumpkin patch with Papa and our friends the DeBoer's. The kids had a great time.

And, I finally got to make some apple crisp. I think Schuyler enjoys it as much as I do b/c it's almost gone and I just made it Saturday night. I most likely will be making more = )

Fall!

Fall is here!! My favorite time of year. I love when the leaves start turning. I love the fall colors... organges, burgundy, brown etc... I love warm apple crisp with milk and the wonderful smell it creates in your house. I love the cooler weather and wearing jeans, long sleeve t's, and light sweaters. I love a nice warm cup of tea or chai.

On another note, I 'm so glad it's Friday. It's been a fairly busy week but not too hectic. My best friend had her twins on Monday. It was so awesome to go and see her Wednesday. They are all doing very well. Alexander John was born at 8:06 a.m. weighing 5 lb 14 oz. Reagan Hope was born at 8:07 a.m. weighing 5 lb 2 oz. I got to hold both babies - the smallest I have ever held.

Schuyler got to go to the Lied Center with Dad to watch the "Passing Zone". It's part of their family fest night where they have a few activity centers for the kids and cookies before the show starts. The Passing Zone is a juggling/comedian act. Schuyler said she did not enjoy the space shuttle (some kind of human juggling) but she did enjoy the fire juggling. (She assured me they were being "safe" with the fire = ) Mack and I got to spend some special one on one time which she always enjoys.

Last night was a frustrating night. There were 2 tired girls and you could tell by their behavior. As soon as we got home, we went outside and I let the kids frolic. Then it was time for the grocery store and this is when it all went downhill. Our mission was to get fried chicken and stock up on yogurt. Sounds easy. Well, as we're heading to get the chicken, Mack picks up a peach and takes a bite. So, being a responsible person, I buy the peach and have a little discussion with her. We get the chicken and I wanted to peek at the salad bar. As I peek, 'lil Mack grabs a necterine and takes a bite. So, I buy the necterine and once again have a conversation with her. We make it to the yogurts and I let the kids pick 10 or so out as well as yogurt smoothie drinks which were on sale. I remember we need butter so I quickly grab it and we're headed to the check out when little Mack decides to sprint off. A kind grandma lady tried to step in front and stop her but it's no match for Mack. Schuyler takes off after her yelling "stop" and here I am in my preggo state going as fast as I can pushing a cart. Luckily, Mack trips and I'm able to get her. So, in the check out, I tell Schuyler she may pick out some gum as a treat for being a great helper. Well, Mack wants a piece and wants it NOW. So, she starts her "yell" cry. I'm just about ready to sign my receipt when the checker girls says "uh oh". I turn around to find Mack unwrapping some Rolloes (sp). So, now I'm stuck buying candy. And the ending goes something like this... As fast as I can walk I'm carrying a screaming child out. I can barely can get her strapped in and no amount of reasoning or common sense is working with her. I have to drive up for 3 piddly sacks. I have spent more money than intended b/c my 2 year old thinks it's freebie day at the store. Lastly, she yells the whole way home. Now, you can see why they were in bed by 7:30 and asleep by 8:00!!

As you might be able to tell, I'm going through some old pics. Here is one of the girls dying easter eggs this year. Have a good weekend everbody!! Okay - getting peeved at blogger. Can not post a pic!! This is killing my photo blog.

We need two....

of everything = 0 Isn't funny, how you can have all these toys and when it comes down to it, they want the same thing. Yellow is Schuyler's favorite color and 'lil Mack has either learned this to be her favorite color from her sister or it truly is her favorite color. We only have one yellow plastic fork. We only have one yellow kid's chair. Fortunately, we have 2 yellow plastic cups. And don't forget babies. There is a favorite baby doll in the house. It's not the prettiest, it wasn't the most expensive, but apparently it is the favorite out of the 7 or more dolls we have. There is one very similar to it, almost identical. I can't tell the difference but the girl's can. This can be so frustrating at times. Especially for our little spit-fire girl. But, at the same time, life is about sharing. So we deal with the headaches and trying times this can cause. Do you think a third child, a boy, will mean 3 of everything. I hope not = )

We had a good weekend. The girls had a great time at Schuyler's best friend's b-day party. They dressed up in their leotards and did gymnastics. I think the teacher was smitten by Mack b/c she was holding her hand and carrying her around. I'm sure 'lil Mack was turning on the charm. We had a lot of good family time too! We did discover that our teeny weeny shower holds 1 full size male, 1 expecting mama, and two little girls. Pretty hillarious! It started with Mack and I. Then Mack invited Dad. Well Schuyler wasn't going to miss out. It wasn't this way for long but it was pretty funny.

The funny comments of the week-

"I'm so dirty" - Mack
"For REAL. I do get my haircut" - Schuyler

9 months ago this was us at xmas. So fun to look back!