Things for Me to Remember

My girls are just growing up way too fast. This week when I dropped Lauren off at preschool, Allison and I were walking back to the van and she said, "Mommy, you can go to work with Daddy." I said to her, "Who will watch you while I'm at work?" She said matter-of-factly, "Ms. Cheryl!" (Lauren's preschool teacher) Lauren and I have talked recently about me going back to teaching when she and Allison are both in school. I guess Allison heard more of that conversation than I realized.
Here is a list of fun things Lauren is saying and doing these days.

• "Mom, did you hear that kind word?" (We've really been emphasizing those kind words ALL the time)
• "OK Mom, I will listen and obey."
• She calls me "Moms" a lot lately
• She loves painting, coloring, playing with glue, tape, stickers, scissors....
• She loves getting her fingernails and toenails painted
• She loves singing
• She loves playing school in her room during quiet time. She lines up all her stuffed animals and babies and gives them crayons and books.
• She absolutely loves going to school and church
• She also loves playing like she is a server in a restaurant.....she has to routine down very well. (Maybe we are eating out too much?!)
• Just about anything we do, whether it is going to buy a new microwave, going to the gym, going to church or school, she will recreate the entire thing when she is home playing. I love to watch her version of all those daily, routine things we do.
• Today as we were walking into Sams she looked up at me and said, "Mom I like doing things with you." (That really melted my heart)

Here are a few things Allison is saying and doing.

• She will whisper in my ear and say, "I love you bushels and bushels."
• After going to the the bathroom she'll say, "May I have a potty M&M." I'll never here the word M&Ms again without thinking of the potty! At least she is potty trained. Love how those M&M's worked for both of my girls.
• Speaking of the M&M's, she gets one M&M for tinkling in the potty and five for pooing in the potty. Without fail, she will give two of her five M&Ms to Lauren. What a sweet little sister.
• Well, she's not always sweet!!! She does hit, bite, pinch and scratch her sister. My brother swears that's a second child (girl) thing! He seems to remember me doing that to him when we were little. Unfortunately, I remember doing it, too! Sorry brother!
• Allison has been a huge fan of bellies. Since she was weaned from nursing she has had this thing where she loves to lay on your belly and blow raspberries on it. I used to think it was just my belly she loved, but I think my Mom's may be a close second or even tied for the best belly.
• One of her favorite sayings is, "Ohhhh, honey bunny!" She says it if she spills something or makes a mess.
• Allison is all girl, she loves to play with baby dolls. Her favorite is Rebecca. But just this past week, she went to Build a Bear and now she has a new baby (Teddy Bear) named Kelsey.
• Another favorite thing I love hearing her say is, "You're so sweet."
• She has learned to pedal her tricycle.
• She is quite sneaky.....when it gets quiet I have to find her quickly. The other day, she had gotten my purse off the countertop and had several pieces of gum already in her mouth and was still going for more.

Doctors and more Doctors

This has been a very busy week for us. After a weekend of celebrating her 4th birthday, Lauren had her 4 year well visit to see the pediatrician on Monday. The visit was very brief, in fact I think she spent less than 5 minutes with the doctor. She weighed in at 39.5 pounds which put her in the 75th percentile for children her age, and was 43.2 inches tall which is in the 97th percentile for height. We are so thankful for a happy, healthy little girl. The best part of the visit was that both girls were able to get their flu mist. I'm glad to get that out of the way.

Today both girls went to the dentist. This was their second trip to the dentist and it was not a pleasant visit for ME!! The hygienist came out to take Lauren back and she didn't hesitate going with her. The first time the girls went to the dentist I was able to go back with them. Then, another hygienist came out a few minutes later. She said, "Where's Allison?" Allison jumped up and ran to the lady and she didn't even look back at me!!! The lady did say that if they needed me, she'd come get me! Man, was I feeling very sad sitting there in the waiting room with both of my girls back in the dentist chair without their Mommy!! After a short while, Allison and the lady came out and she said Allison did a great job. They got to actually clean her teeth. (They didn't get to do that the last visit because Allison was afraid. The wanted to keep the visit a positive one last time so they didn't push her to let them clean her teeth.) They even got X-rays this time.
Lauren did a great job also. She did have a little tarter built up on her lower teeth which they had to "scale" (scrape) off. I guess she did fine with that. I finally got to go back when the dentist was checking their teeth. I got one picture of Lauren and a couple of Allison. I actually think Lauren loves the dentist office. Let's hope she continues to think that way. More importantly, I hope the girls don't need a lot of dental work.
Although I was sad sitting there by myself in the waiting room, I was also very thankful that both girls were comfortable going in there alone. I was so proud of both girls. They never cease to amaze me. I love you Lauren and Allison.

Lauren in the dentist chair


Allison showing her newly cleaned teeth

Allison opening wide for her exam

4 Wonderful Years

What a wonderful day we were blessed with at 8:42 a.m on Wednesday, August 24, 2005. Our lives were forever changed that day and you have brought more happiness into our lives than we can ever express through words. We love you so much, sweet Lauren.

These are your first birthday pictures!!

Turning 1 year old

Turning 2 years old

Turning 3 years old

And here is your 4th birthday party. We celebrated your birthday on Saturday with a family party. You asked for a Hello Kitty theme for your party. You picked out your plates, napkins, party hats, and yes, the Hello Kitty tiara for yourself! This was your first tiara. Mommy made your cake and tried to put a Hello Kitty on it, but I forgot the wiskers. Oh well, we ate the cake and didn't even miss the whiskers.

Here you are blowing out your candles.

A sweet birthday smile

Allison enjoying cake.

Yahoo, it's time to open prsents. This is your new excited face that you started one night while I was brushing your teeth!

Sissy got you a princess keyboard. Your cousin Parker was very interested in the piano.

For your birthday you really only asked for one present. You wanted a a real camera that took real pictures. Mommy and Daddy found you a nice VTech camera that takes pictures and little videos. You have already taken tons of pictures. Some you actually have captured the subject of your picture in the frame!:) We have started a file on our computer to save your pictures in. We'll enjoy watching you grow as a photographer.

You also got a musical jewelry box and a bracelet, a princess pop-up tent, princess shoes, gift cards, money, coloring books, markers, your very own tape dispenser (you love playing with tape), and a Leap Pad. Mommy and Daddy got you a ballerina charm to add to your bracelet that we started on your first birthday. (You took a summer dance class with ballet and tap dancing)

Saturday morning you went to your friend Mackenzie's birthday party at the Little Ponderosa Zoo in Clinton. Here are some pictures from the party.

Mackenzie's birthday party

Mackenzie's friends with their party hats

Allison and Josiah holding hands.......love this sweet picture

Lauren riding a pony.......I was surprised when she said she wanted to ride. The expression says it all. My sweet children are terrified of animals. Lauren kept saying she wanted off, but I convinced her to stay on. Finally, she said to Mackenzie, "Let's let someone else have a turn." How diplomatic of her!:)

Allison riding on the pony. I had to walk beside her, and she was still a little nervous.

Another birthday cake.......for Lauren and Mackenzie. This one was at Heart 2 Heart group.

I think we have had enough sugar to last for quite a while!!!!

Happy Birthday my angel......thank you for making us smile and for filling our lives with so much love and happiness.

First Day of Pre K

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school we go!!! I am so thankful that my sweet Lauren loves school. She was awake at 6:15 this morning and had to go to the bathroom. I tucked her back into her bed and I think she went back to sleep for a little while. But at 6:48 she was back in my room bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready to go to school. Lauren always wakes up happy! She's never grouchy or grumpy or tired when she gets out of bed, even on the mornings when I think she has to be exhausted, she still is the same happy, cheerful little girl.

Toady was no exception. She stayed with me while I got dressed for school chattering up a storm. Allison was still sleeping so we got breakfast ready before we woke her up. Lauren ate some Kashi cereal, a waffle and drank her milk. Allison was not too hungry when we woke her up, but she managed to eat a waffle and drink a little bit of her milk. I think it was a bit early for Allison. She doesn't have the same energy level and excitement that Lauren has in the mornings.

After getting dressed we were ready to get a quick picture before getting on to school.

Getting in the car to go to school

Outside her classroom (her friends Esther and Ariel in the background)

In her new classroom.....I think she really likes it!

Lauren and her friend Brooke

Lauren and Sam

Lauren and Ms. Cheryl at pick-up

Lauren really likes her new teacher Ms. Cheryl

I think we are in for another great year of school!!! There are already several things planned including her first field trip.....to the zoo!!! WOW!!!

Understanding what is important!

One of my favorite things to do is watch my girls sleeping!! I absolutely love to see those innocent little faces so peacefully snuggled into their pillows. My last post was about moving the girls into the same room. Well, unfortunately that did not work out so well. We have really worked hard on keeping our girls on a good routine for bedtime and having them sleep in their own bed. Lauren has had her problems sleeping in the past, most of which occurred around the time Allison joined our family. But now, she sleeps very well in her own bed. Allison had a rough start learning to sleep in her crib. She slept in her swing for a long time, but she eventually caught on and became a great little sleeper also. We gave the girls two weeks to try to get used to sleeping together, but after that I decided that we all needed our sleep more than they needed to sleep in the same room. They loved the idea of sleeping together, but they just didn't want to sleep. We tried several different things during the two week period trying to help them sleep together, but without fail, when one girl would wake up, she would wake up the other. It didn't matter what time it was, if one woke up, she woke up the other. Many times it was intentional, but not always. Well, we just decided that sleep was more important than the girls sharing a room at this point. I really hope they do get to experience that special time of sharing a room together at some point in their lives.
One night when they were together, they were still awake at around 11:00 and there was a thunderstorm. Allison is afraid of storms, so she would not lie down in her crib. Bill finally went in there and put Allison in bed with Lauren. He put her against the wall and Lauren in the front. When we went back to check on them they were asleep, but Lauren had moved Allison to the front of the bed. We were afraid she would fall out of the twin bed because there are no bed rails on Lauren's bed. (That sweet little Lauren has to have things the way she wants them!! I do love that sweet angel.) Bill is able to move the girls around and even wake them up and they will just go back to sleep. If I go in Allison's room and she wakes up and sees me, she's awake for a while. Thankfully, Bill was able to get Allison back against the wall and they slept pretty much through the night. But they were awake early the next morning. That was the case for the two weeks, they went to sleep late and got up early.

Lauren is now sleeping in her room in her new full size bed. She looks so little in that bed! She really loves her "big" bed. I love it because when I put her to bed I always lie down with her and we enjoy talking about the day before she goes to sleep. With her big bed, I have plenty of room to lie beside her.
Allison is back in her room sleeping in her crib. We moved the twin bed that Lauren was sleeping on into Allison's room. I don't think she is all that ready to make the change yet. I decided to let her try it out at nap time first. But she knows if she doesn't stay in the bed, she has to get in the crib. One day she did fall asleep in the twin bed at nap time, but we had a storm and some lingering thunder woke her up. I went in to hold her and she wanted to get in her crib and she went back to sleep for the rest of her nap. The past couple of days when I asked her if she wanted to nap in her twin bed or the crib, she has picked the crib. I guess she'll make the move when she's ready.
I really didn't plan for this post to be about the sleeping arrangements of the girls, but I had just gone to check on both girls before I headed off to bed and seeing them sleeping so sweetly made me feel good about our decision to put them back in their own room.

My original purpose for this post was to tell about the major expenses we have had to deal with in the past couple of weeks. First of all our microwave decided to die!!! We've only had it about 4 years. I personally think a microwave should last longer than that. After speaking to a couple of different repair people, we determined that the problem was the magnetron and to replace it would be more than a new microwave!! Tonight Bill got our new microwave installed. He is such a wonderful man!!! I didn't realize how much I depended on the microwave, until I lived without it for almost two weeks.
Last weekend Bill replaced the brake pads in both of our vehicles. While we saved a lot of money on labor, it was still a significant expense to buy the brake pads for both cars.
On Tuesday, Bill's car had trouble starting when he left at 5:00 a.m. He managed to get it started, but after working out at the gym, when he got in the car to go to work, it wouldn't start. He had to get someone in the gym to jump him off, and then again when he left work. He headed straight to buy a new battery. The last time I had to buy a battery, it was only around $50-60. His was $100!!
All those expenses coupled with a few back to school things we got over the tax free weekend last week have put a strain in our budget!!
But, back to my first sentence on this post, seeing those sweet little girls sleeping peacefully seems to make everything alright! God is good and He takes care of us.

Sharing a Room

Well, we moved Allison's crib into Lauren's room tonight. I have been going back and forth on when to move the girls into the same room now for some time now. I want then to enjoy that special time of sleeping together in the same room. I know lots of other siblings who share a room and started much earlier than my girls, but I couldn't hardly bring myself to disrupt either girl's sleeping habits until today.
Bill and I have talked about doing this a lot, and decided to wait, since Allison naps so well in the afternoon and both girls really sleep well at night. But today, something came over us and we decided to go ahead and do it. So without any hesitation, we started tearing things off the wall that had been anchored there for safety and moving most of the things in Lauren's room out in order to move the crib in. We decided it looked a lot like Lauren's room when we first moved her from the nursery into her room. We had her twin bed in there, but also moved the crib in there to let her get used to the room before we put her in the twin bed.
It took quite a while to get the girls to sleep tonight. They were so excited to be together. I had to take Allison out for a while to let Lauren get to sleep. I rocked Allison to sleep in her old room and that gave Lauren the opportunity to fall asleep without distraction in her room. We will see how they do.
I thoroughly enjoyed rocking Allison to sleep tonight. She is such a cuddly little girl. She loves to have her skin touching my skin. She has always loved my belly! I treasure every moment that I get to cuddle with her like that. I know it won't last forever!

A Beautiful Day in the Park

We decided to spend Saturday at Panther Creek State Park in Morristown. I had never been to that park before but after a little research I found they had a playground (and a pool) as well as the hiking and biking trails. The girls love to play on playgrounds, so I wanted a place where they could enjoy that. We took Lauren's bicycle and the little red car for Allison to ride in, but we didn't make it to the trails to ride. The girls were having too much fun on the playground. We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed eating on a blanket under a tree. Who could believe that the temperature was around 80 degrees in July with low humidity. What a blessing!!

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Both girls love to swing. Lauren has learned to swing on her own, but Allison still requires pushing!

Lauren climbing

Allison in her shades

Daddy chillin' out on the the blanket

Lauren chillin' out like Daddy

Family shot of the picnic

Climbing through the tunnels

Lauren posing at the top of the tall slide

Lauren on the Merry-go-round

Sweet sisters sliding together

This picture isn't supposed to be on this post....but I can't get it off!!!