Bribery

Speaking of bribery...

I also learned at Claire's doctors appointment that she is behind in her speech. We already suspected this since her sister could say "what's that?" at 9 months but we were always told not to compare our kids. Now don't misunderstand me... Claire is a mini-genius! (maybe even smarter than her sister, but we aren't comparing remember) She took her first steps at a few days shy of 8 months old and was running by 11 months. She can climb ANY obstacle you put in front of her and , honestly could probably ride a bike without training wheels. Her motor skills are off the charts! Also, her receptive skills are amazing also. You can give her multiple step directions (such as "put your plate in the trash, your spoon in the sink and give your fork to Emily" and she does it no problem) However, she just isn't there when it comes to expressing herself. She has a very limited word bank for her age. On the same note though, she gets her point across for what she wants with pointing and "uh huh" or "nuh uh" (yes and no).

So what is a mom to do?! BRIBERY. This actually came to me by professional advice so I may be on to something here. Every time Claire says a word to express something that she wants, she gets an m&m. So far, it's worked beautifully. She learned how to say "candy" in about 10 seconds. :)

A ball of sushine

That's what the sticker on Claire's shirt says from her doctors appointment today. Claire is 35 inches and 30.5 pounds (the same weight as her sister at 4 1/2 -- no joke) She's my chunk-butt!

She got one shot. This was the first appointment where she knew it was coming, but she didn't put up much of a fight. Why? You ask. What AMAZING parenting leads me to have well behaved children in the doctors office? What's that? You want to know my secret?

Lean close and listen...

BRIBERY! I'm not above it. I'm not even above giving my children ice cream as breakfast because they were perfect angels in the doctors office. So all of you behavioralist nazis can just shush because while you're sweating bullets because I have to step over your melting down 2 year old in the hallway, I'm basking in the glory of bribed children.

The rest of my day however is sure to be a nightmare since I got zero sleep last night from this cold and Claire's going to be moody and site. Maybe I will take Emily to school and then take a nap.

HA! Fat chance.

Ferocious!

This is my ferocious beast--Roger. I love this cat to pieces. We inherited him when we moved (Along with a few other cats that the previous owner didn't want). They randomly came to visit Roger not too long ago and said that he looked healthy and happy. (Thanks...?) They also let me know that he was fixed and his previous name was "Rex". (Thanks again but there are several kittens around here that bear a remarkable resemblance to him and he comes to Roger) annoyed face). {insert annoyed face} He also does a pretty good job or keeping all of the mice away. Our new house is a run down mobile home from the 1970's that was placed in the middle of a field in the country. Mice are enviable, but guys what?! We haven't seen evidence of a single one in the year we've been here. He also keeps the squirrel population down...note his handsome fat face.

Speaking of ferocious... The flu is taking its toll on this family! I'm sick of being sick! Last night Aaron and I woke up Claire with our coughing at about 4:30 and for whatever reason she stayed awake. So now, guess who naps while mom runs errands on zero sleep.

Sometimes I wish I could throw a fit like a two year old and nap whenever I want.

Back at it?

Maybe. The beauty of technology and smart phones is that some genius computer nerd out there has formulated this thing called the app store. While my parents were visiting this weekend, I got the "blog lecture" which pretty much translate to the fact that I suck at documenting my children. So I had this bright idea (that I was hoping would make me a millionaire). WHAT IF there was an app that allowed me to upload from my phone while I was on the go... And GUESS WHAT?! someone already invited it. Flush my hopes and dreams of being a millionaire right down the drain.

However... the beauty of my discovery is that with any luck (I type this as my 2 year old has a meltdown on the floor at my feet) is that I will begin to make a habit out of blogging again. Don't everyone applaud at once.

Over the course of time I hope to update everyone on the amazing things that have happened in the last few year and a half-- new job, school, moving, children's milestones, and dreams for our future.

For now, I leave you will an updated picture of my girls:

Call it reality sinking in.

Where to begin?

First off, Emily is going to start going to PRESCHOOL!! so I will regain my mornings to blog. YAY! My internet works. YAY! and I have a fully functioning computer. YAY!

Excuses aside, I want to do this for my girls someday. I want to be able to go back and read about the crazy things Emily and Claire did and how I felt about them so that I can cry over how cute and sweet they used to be when they are 16 and 13 and making me NUTS.

I was on good ol' Facebook today and I stumbled across my status from a year ago today. Something like "OFFICIALLY felt Baby VP#2 squirming around today" I stopped and thought about the craziness of this for a second. A year ago today I didn't know that the Claire that I know today was growing inside of me. I didn't know if she was a boy or a girl. I didn't know her personality or her adorable smile or her cute chunky thighs. Oh, how much my heart has grown since that day a year ago! I didn't know if it was possible to love another baby as much as I was in love with my Emily. Everyone assured me it would be fine. I knew in my heart it would be. But to look at her now across the room in her bouncer smiling her big toothless smile with two dimples on each side and drool on her chin.... it actually tears me up a little to think of my life without her.

I LOVE my girls. Both of them! They both melt my heart in unexplainable ways. This is also proof to me that God knows be better than I know myself. I KNEW that I wanted all boys. I didn't want to have to deal with the girl hormones and the frills and the PINK. I HATED pink. Now when I do laundry there is so much pink that the lint in the trap turns pink. I LOVE IT. It makes me laugh every time.

Once a year

Once a year...around the fourth of July, I do this. I take a picture of Emily on the front lawn right before we watch fireworks. So, if you want, you can go back to when Emily was a little older than Claire and see her picture...or don't. It is sure to bring tears to your eyes!! I know I sobbed about it for a while. Here is this years picture. I also did one of just Emily and one of just Claire, but I love this one the most.

Test #1