I've got good news and bad news...

I love this picture, ahhh, i miss you vacation...

So I thought that once I got out of frigid Oregon I would cease to be ill. No such luck. I have traded my cold for nausea. sweet. (No I am not pregnant).

Good news though, Shane and Tovah signed on their house today! So now Rob's cousin will be our neighbor too. =) yay! I am looking forward to many good times ahead.

Fix the problem!!

Okay, the last day or two things have just not been flowing so great. Been feeling like everything is too loud and too crazy alll the time. So while the girls were napping today I laid in my bed with the intention of figuring out what was going on!! What had changed? and I think I figured some things out.
1~ Allie's high chair. oh my. It's not even safe. First of all, I cut the straps off of it shortly after I started using it for Addison because they were gross and dirty. It has a tray so I figured that was good enough...and for Addi it was. Then came Allie. My climber. She will twist and turn and stand up in that thing in about four seconds flat which means I can't hardly turn my back to do anything let alone actually leave the room for a split second while she is in it. Not going to work. Stresses me out to be fighting her all the time to sit down. So today brought Addison's booster (with straps) and put it on Allie's bar stool and made it her new high chair. No tray, but she cannnnnnot get out of it so all is good.
2~ SLEEP. As in Allie needs more. New policy, anytime she is up and fussing for no reason (hunger, diaper, Addison, etc), it's back to bed. Ended up in a four hour nap today..hmmmm I could get used to an even happier baby, and longer naps!
3~ I think the girls are kinda bored. They have had constant stimulation for six weeks. Now....just Mommy. and I am a pretty fun Mommy, but i am only one person staring at them all day, not a whole crowd. lol. So today we learned some new things and played some new games and I think they had fun.
4~ Addison is funny but loud these days. Lunch today was AMAZINGLY loud. Like out of control and I could not seriously figure out where all this noise was coming from. So I just stopped flying around the kitchen and looked at the girls....Addison is sitting there humming. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM before during and after every single bite in like the loudest volume possible. Pretty much constantly. Unreal. I realized that yes this is the noise I have been hearing every meal for a couple days. lol. So I thanked her for telling me that lunch was yummy but asked her to please enjoy it quietly. lol. weirdo! =)

Instead of feeling like things were just loud and yucky and a big mess, I am glad I just took a minute to figure out the real issues behind what was going on. I know the changes won't always be this simple, but I hope to continue to have the insight that just stepping back, (or laying down) and taking a minute to look at things out of the moment may make all the difference. I hope to remember this when the girls are a lot older and the issues a lot more important than loud humming. I love you girls so much.

And here is a pic of the carmel corn I made today so Dad can see that yes I really made it after hounding him for the recipe that I for some reason, did not have! This is Addison's absolute favorite right now.

Vandecar Family Pictures

So here's the pics I was talking about before. We took them in Salem while on vacation and I love them.
Here's the crew! Who knew we were all so photogenic?! =)

Allie = BFF

Dear Allie,
Contrary to the blog post title, you and I did not start out BFF today. At all.
You slept in until about ten a.m.,(you're still getting over your cold) then after getting up we were bff for about seven seconds.
The rest of the entire day...not so much.
You both took late looong naps so I should have known bedtime might be interesting. For Addison, no, for you, YES.
After attempting to put you down at normal time and hearing a series of bloody murder screams and intermittent laughing, I decided to give you a shot. Bring you in to my room while I cleaned up, allowing you to play as long as you did so quietly and happily. Yelling or screaming or fussing = back to bed immediately.
So in to my room you came...and you were the most good natured baby I have ever witnessed. You knew you were on the ropes. FOR SURE.
You would take your tiny baby, kiss it and then hand it to me, I would kiss the baby and hand her back. Then you would kiss her, laugh your head off and hand her back to me to kiss again, like twenty times. You were being hilarious. and redeeming yourself.
So around 9, (bedtime is 7:15pm), Daddy had to go to bed. So we shut off the lights, I gave you your bottle and we all laid down. You know what happened...yep playing and then falling asleep so you would jar yourself awake to play more. So back to your bed you went. Walked in, laid you down, you rolled over and went immediately to sleep. Nice. You were definitely ready. Best Friends status has been restored. =)

*Today you also climbed off my bed with no problem and went up and down the stairs a hundred times with no problem. big girl! The rest of the day you spent yelling.
**Oh, and you also have another tooth! That makes five. =) (Hopefully the source of the yelling although I doubt it).

Zoolights

So while we were in Portland visiting Dustin and Jamie, we went to zoolights at the Portland Zoo. Wow! The girls loved it and I have to admit, so did I. The sheer quantity of lights was totally amazing. The weather was awesome, hardly even cold. And the best part was sharing it with great friends. Dustin stood up at our wedding and has been a great friend to Robbie since they met in college; and let's be honest, I love Dustin. It has been grrreat getting to know Jamie, and I love your guys' new house. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing zoolights with us. (Even if you did spend most of the night making fun of me for making Allie wear that hat!!!)

Jimmy and Owen

Girls, this is the baby, Owen, that was just born while we were in Oregon, and ofcourse you know sweet Jim.

I love Christmas!

What an awesome day. I don't even have the words.
Christmas morning with the girls was something I will never forget.
Thank you to all who spent this day with us, we truly enjoyed you all.
My heart is so full.

Both girls on their "neighs", as Addison calls them.

Cookin' up a storm!

So cute! Love your hair in this one Adds! =)




I LOVE her teeth in this one. Click on it for an enlargement.

Thanks for the plates Auntie Amber, very trendy gift!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

OK. rob just left for work and I canNOT sleep I am so excited!!!!!!!!

Christmas Eve!!

I have left out waayy lots of stuff and I will come back to those happenings, but right now all I can think of is....It's Christmas EVE!! I am so excited.
I have been baking and cooking all morning for tomorrow and am feeling very proud of myself so far. =)
I started my day getting up with Allie (she's sick) really early. Gave her a bottle and then put her over my shoulder to snuggle and..... BARFFF! At least 6 ounces. Smart little girl didn't get a drop on herself, or her blanket. Just me and the chair over my shoulder. The whole back of my shirt was DRENCHED. I just pulled her back and looked at her and said "wow, are you okay??" She smiled a huge grin and I couldn't help it, so did I. I grabbed the cushion off the chair, laid it in the hall and put her down. She never made a peep....so then off I went to clean the cushion (I fear it will never be the same) and I took a quick shower. I kid you not, the barf was running down my back. Clothes drenched. GROSS. Thank you Allie, good morning to you too.
So then when Addison got up a little after seven, I brought her to my bed, turned on old school movie "Santa Claus is coming to town" (thank you Lisa) and gave her a banana. Ahhh, a moment more of rest. =)
The girls have been playing awesome together today and I think Allie is feeling a little better. Still boogers galore, but she seems better. We'll see.
Robbie had to go back to work today...booo. But I guess I can't complain! =) and old GrinchiClaus even wrote a ticket this morning!!! I guess 99 in a 55 is something you can't ignore....even on Christmas Eve. =)
So now I am just chillin'. Got a little more decorating to do and then just enjoy until tomorrow morning.
You can see our tree from the top of the staircase, so tomorrow morning will be a LOT of fun I think. I am sure Addison will be verrry excited. (If Robbie gets her kitchen put together that is!, he hasn't even started!!!) But I am kinda glad we have more to do tonight because I have always wanted to be the parent in that scenario. I can remember my oldest sister Angela getting to stay down after we had to stay upstairs because she was putting stuff together for her kids in front of the downstairs tree. I was always kinda jealous of that.
So off I go, we are having Shane and Tovah and Tovah's mom over tomorrow and it will be very nice. But I still have wrapping to do for you girls so I will write more tomorrow! =) I can't wait to have Christmas morning with you sweet chickies!!!!!

Mama!

Allie just said Mama for the first time!! we were walking out of DQ and Robbie said "say mama"...so she did like 4 times. and she smiled soo big. She was so proud of herself. Yay!!! Then she went right back to saying Dada. hmmm.
I am having the most wonderful Christmas-y day today. We stopped and had lunch and Addison was totally sweet about sharing her ice cream cone with Allie and Daddy and Allie was being soo cute trying to climb out of her high chair. She is getting to be quite the little trickster.
Yesterday was good. We were in Salem at Rob's sister's and we went and took family pictures which turned out great. (Girls- these are the pics where you are wearing matching pink and purple print shirts and pink shoes). You both look adorable. Allie was soo good during pictures and very photogenic, but Addison you kept sticking out your tongue! Not good little princess! ;)
I am happy to be headed home. I miss my house and our fun routine and I am so glad to be spending Christmas at home just my little family. I can't wait!

Apple Pie. Thank you Addison.

Tonight at dinner my Dad and I were razzing each other about the lack of apple pie in the house. I am of the opinion that if I am here, a pie should also be here. Usually that works out to my satisfaction. The first pie of this vacation was scarfed up by Great Gma in like two days. I got one piece. Big problem.
Then tonight Dad was saying how he meant to make me one, but then didn't get around to it and now- Oh well but I wasn't going to get one. At this Addison pipes up... "I want pie. Apple pie Grandpa". YES! She comes through in the clutch!!!! My Dad can not resist her as they are besties, and sure enough, before dinner was cleared my Dad was peeling apples. YES YES YES! mmmmmmm.
*Robin later admitted there may have been a little coaching by him to help me out. So thanks to Robin as well, way to stick together. =)
***Addison~ Grandpa cannot resist you...use this knowledge wisely.

French Braid

I don't know what possessed me tonight but I decided to attempt to french braid the top of Addison's hair. SO CUTE! I loved it!

Allie is blooming!!

The girls change so fast and do so many cute things, it seems like every day.
Just in the last week or so, Allie has started waving and kissing me. The kissing is always my favorite thing and I look forward to them doing it like crazy.

Well today was the cutest and I am afraid shows her personality most accurately!
She was in the living room with Grandma and they were "cooking". Allie would take a plate and put it inside the pan and then take it out, over and over. Well between each movement, her hands would go straight to her hips. Then she would reach again and move the dish, then hands back to hips. SCARY! It was so adorable. I didn't want her to stop.

Addison had been a little drooly today which is totally weird for her and then tonight had a little fever. So she brought me her flashlight and sure enough, she has another molar coming in. Big girl!!

Sweet Cora

A couple weeks ago we were able to hang out with our friend Crystal and her darling daughter Cora. This was an adventure that ended up with both girls landing unceremoniously on their bums.
Let me explain....
We went to the park. Addison is a huge fan of slides, the higher the better, so up she went. Then down she came, flew a few feet out from the end of the slide and landed squarely on her bum. A couple tears, a minute or two and back up she went for more.
Then we went off to C&D for hot cocoa. As you can see, the girls were only interested in sitting (and laying) on the bench. They were also interested in jumping off the bench. (Okay, mostly just Addison). She jumped off a few times and then Cora showed interest in following suit. Crystal showed some hesitation telling Cora she didn't jump quite like Addi. Cora still wanted to, so Crystal said "go ahead". I personally thought Crystal was being totally silly not allowing Cora to jump off the bench - what's the big deal??? So Cora prepped, left the bench...and then promptly threw her feet straight out in front of her and crashed on to her buns on the cement floor. It was unreal. I DID NOT see that coming. Like at all. Poor sweet baby is lucky she didn't break her tailbone. Robin scooped her up and snuggled her and she didn't even want her Mom, she just wanted to stay with Robin. (He is magic with little girls.) She recovered in time, but I seriously did not see that coming. Sweet Cora, tell your dad - more jumping practice!!
This is the evil bench before the bottom drop.


Addison passed out. She had had it!

Cora reading the paper. Old soul.

Snow princess

Okay, I am not a clothes horse mom. But this coat is adorable and will definitely be kept forever. My mom found it for Allie and I LOVE IT.

Look how cute you look baby. ADORABLE. It's cream suede leather with gold detailing.

Now that I see the photo I realize that I should not have put this on over her pajamas, but I could not wait to see how it looked. Still super cute. =))

Cuties =)

Addi signing candy in hopes that Lucy will give her more M and M's. =)

I love her cute belly.

Allie pretends!

Tonight when I came in from outside Grandma Vandecar had Allie "napping". I love that she pretends, she is So BIG!

Take 2

Yes it just happened again....Mimi pooped, Mimi pooped.
New policy....don't bathe Allie right after she eats a huge dinner.
Yikes! =)

Mimi Pooped Mimi pooped!!

This is going to be a hilarious though kinda gross post. Just a word of warning....

So last night Mom had both girls bathing together as is often the case. Out of nowhere Mom looks down and there is something not quite right with the color and consistency of the bath water. AGH! She said she just sat there in shock as more and more appeared. Well of course she then scoops up Allie, and Addison has now figured out what is going on and is yelling "EW YUCK! MIMI POOP MIMI POOP" and making her wretching, barfing, gagging, dry heaving noises that she makes every single time Allie has a dirty diaper. Dad and Grandma hear the commotion and head for the bathroom in time to see mom trying to get both girls and the bath toys out of the tub so as not to get poopified. Addison gets set down for a minute and jets off to run around the house falling down wretching. By the end of this experience, they were all laughing so hard they could barely stand up. So the tub got bleached and both girls nearly did too! The bath toys have not yet met their fate....I don't think Addison will be willing to bathe with Allie again any time soon.

Vacation fun

We have been having a great vacation. So many things to do!
My brother and Dad took family pictures for Rob's family last weekend and we got some great pics. Thanks Seth and Dad and thanks to Larry and Lucy for letting us use your beautiful home.

Tubby time! =)

Allie cracking up at Addi

Me and My Girls. I love this picture. They are such sweet, happy girls.


Sitting out by the firepit making smores. I love campfire!


Addi and Jimmy making sugar cookies with Grandma.

Thankful Addison.

Addison wanted to say prayers by herself tonight and she did very well listing off a number of traditional things; mom, dad, allie, gma and gpa then listed off a number of things that were not understandable to me. Then she said she was thankful for her house, juice and tv. lol. oh to be two again. ;)

husband of the year

I have the sweetest husband. He put both girls down tonight while I laid on the couch listening to Christmas music and reading a Christmas novel. I am so spoiled!