Allie...I looooove you

Awww, I was sitting here with the girls in the kitchen just getting stuff put away and Addison climbs up on a stool to sit next to Allie in her high chair. Allie asks her for more crackers and Addison asks me if its okay to give her more. So she does and then after a little bit she says "I love you Allie". Just out of nowhere and for no specific reason. That's the first time Addison has ever said that to Allie. SO SWEET.
Remember this when you are twelve and thirteen and fighting over EVERYTHING.

Bunco!

Yay! Tonight was our first night for Bunco and it was FUN! It's all CHP wives and we are going to do it once a month. Super fun, and the best part?! I was a big winner! lol. Such a good time to get to know other girls I don't know very well or at all. and to get to see the ones I do.
I took the girls cuz it was at Anna Marie's and her daughters are AWESOME with my kids and Becky brought her kids so everyone had a great time. Addison and Allie did great even though we didn't get home until 9. Little sweeties. Super fun night! Can't wait for next month's game. I could be addicted to Bunco for sure. lol.

Teeth!

So Allie has a mouthful of teeth, however, slow to come in have been her last four.
She has the front four on the top and bottom and then a gap and then molars. Buuuuut, she got up last night so this morning I checked and sure enough, top left little point is poking through. Yay!
Also, last night was night two of Allie taking her babies to bed and not even asking for a bottle. Are we done with the bottle? YES!
I vacillate between being like "You are DONE with the bottle!" and "she's still little, it's not hurting anything, it's not like she's two, she's not even 18 months". So instead of taking a somewhat hard line about the bottle, I have kind of left it alone to see what she would do herself. The only thing I have thought for sure is that she had to be done with it before Evelyn came. Seriously that is non-negotiable. But it doesn't look like we'll be fighting that battle, because we are done says Allie and Mommy! Big girl Allie!

oh my baby

This is a beautiful picture to my heart.
The last couple days Allie has been even more interested and concerned with her "babies". She has this one and one or two others that she likes. But last night she went to the loft before bed and got this Strawberry Shortcake dolly and one other and brought them in her room. I scooped her up and began singing them all the "baby" song I made up. (That Allie now sings the first line of!! love it! =) . Before I knew it, Allie was totally mellow and ready for her crib. So all three babies went in the crib, Allie and her two dollies. I never expected her to actually go straight to sleep...#1 - she didn't have or even ask for a bottle and #2 - she is not used to sleeping with Anything in her crib. But she totally crashed, I never heard a peep. and this picture is from her nap just now, she grabbed that same Strawberry Shortcake doll and down they went. out like a light. This is weird to me because I have never had a baby interested in dolls. Addison was never attached to anything- not a pacifier, blanket, stuffed animal, dolly, nothing and before the last day or two, Allie hasn't been attached to anything either. It's kind of sweet to me that she likes to cuddle her dolly. and I personally LOVE that she chose this particular dolly because it has been in my hope chest ALL these years after I rediscovered it at my mom's house. This was my dolly when I was tiny and when you squeeze her belly she used to blow strawberry scented kisses. (Now, not so much, lol) Regardless, I LOVED this doll and will have it forever, so I love that Allie's loves her too.
I love that I have girls. and I love that my girls are so different. I think all the time what Evelyn will be like. Who she will look like, act like, buddy up with, etc. It makes me so happy to see Addison and Allie playing together. They are really starting to buddy up and that is awesome to me.
We had Allie's neurosurgery follow up with Dr. Krieger yesterday at CHLA. All of my questions were answered and made me feel very good about the future. In fact, Dr. Krieger is convinced that this will never plague us AGAIN. The last question I asked him was "Is it possible that this will never affect her again in her life? that we can forget about this going forward. completely." and he said that he fully expects there to be no further implications. It is not an indicator for anything else, it is not genetic. It's a fluke. A weird thing that we have dealt with, that they don't know the cause for and only 1 out of 25 of these will they ever have to look at again. And that one of the 25 is the worst case scenario cases, which Allie's was definitely not. Her's was like tee-ball in comparison to the major leagues. Whew. Now we have an MRI late November, make sure everything looks clear and then we are done with this. No more MRI's, no more appts in LA. Nothing.
I know in my heart that Allie is great. You watch the crazy child for five minutes and you can see that she is strong and healthy. But as a mom you feel things for your kids that are irrational. You worry late at night about things that maybe, possibly, might affect them. and I am the worst at it. But Dr. Krieger made me promise that once he shows me the MRI that everything is clear I have to sleep. and I have to get over this. and I am committed to doing so!
I was very relieved to hear that this is not a genetic condition, in fact, Evelyn is less likely to have it because Allie did have it.
and you know, I used to see Allie's scar and feel something in my belly and my heart that was scary and a little bit panicky. But in the last month or so that has really changed for me. Now I feel peace almost. I feel a calm almost now because this is something we discovered, faced head on and took care of. and there is empowerment in that. Her scar is looking better and better almost every day now and that's great too. But I don't mind that scar and I don't think she will either. Scars are cool.

Shout out!

This is a huge HUG and pat on the back to Uncle Spencer!
My brother-in-law ran the San Francisco marathon this morning in.....

wait for it......

3 hrs and 30 minutes!!!

I seriously didn't know people could run marathons that fast. 26.2 miles in 3 and a half hours!? That is AWESOME! I am in awe of you.

Uncle Spencer is the coooolest! Boston-- you better watch out!

It's all about the bike...

I thought the timing of her learning to ride the bike fitting as the Tour de France is winding down. She was in the spirit for sure!

Watch out Contador here comes Addison! Yellow jersey for sure!!!

So we've had this bike forever, just sitting in the garage, because we bought it at a closeout sale for like twenty bucks. Anywho, Addison has never shown any interest in it until two days ago. Then she jumped up there like a pro and Rob taught her to ride it in like ten minutes. She was definitely ready! He stayed right by her, which is the only reason she isn't wearing her monkey helmet. She is wearing a bathing suit because we were originally in the kiddie pool in the front yard. This will def. not be her normal bike riding attire. (I know my dad will not be happy when he sees these cycling photos!) Don't worry Dad!

Baby, baby

So every time after tubby the girls always like to be wrapped up like "babies" and I sit on the floor and rock them and sing a special song to them that I made up. Then I carry them to their rooms (one at a time=) and we do jammies. They love it. Well, Daddy came downstairs tonight carrying BOTH girls, calling them twin babies and they LOVED it. They were giggling like CRAZY and did not want him to put them down! =)

Evelyn Macey or Macie

Macey or Macie? I can't decide.
Regardless, as much as I am enjoying summer I am more looking forward to when the days start to cool just a little and it starts to feel like fall. Evelyn's due date is exactly to the day what Addison's was 3 years ago and I have such good memories of being pregnant and awaiting a baby girl at that time of year.
I remember Robbie being on break-in and Grandma coming to stay with me. There was a big golf tournament on the week before I had Addison and she sat in the recliner and knitted while I snoozed through the golf on the couch. LOL. Then we would sit outside under the patio cover at the Keel house and she would work crossword puzzles and I was obsessed with sudoku at the time. Then we had a couple of stormy cloudy days and they were heaven! I can remember standing out on the backyard just getting POURED on and loving it. What a relaxing time and an anxious time all at once!
I love that last two weeks before my due date. I kinda have that feeling that it could happen any day. I love that.
With both girls I started laboring in the evening, I labor all night by myself and then we go to the hospital in the morning. Both times Robbie was home sleeping so I have never had to call him at work and be like..."come home, I'm in labor". lol. I kinda want to make that call. =)
We don't know what shift he is on in September, we should find out in a week or so.

I can remember being in labor with Allie and of course being up all night wandering around contracting, I spent a lot of time in Addison's room rocking in her rocking chair between contractions. Knowing that in a few hours, all of our lives would change forever and worrying if Addison would be okay. What an awesome change this family has undergone. What would we do with out Allie? I already feel that way about Evelyn. What would we do without her? I can't wait to hold her in my arms instead of in my tummy! A little over 9 weeks until my due date. Gosh 9 weeks is like tomorrow in our lives right now. Weeks fly by, half the time I don't even know what month it is! But that's a good thing, because I cannot wait to meet you Evelyn. Both big girls pat my tummy and give it "raspberries" when I ask them where you are. They will love you from day one I have no doubt. Allie especially is in to you and I am sure will baby you to no end. Try to smile and endure her as best you can. She loves you. =)

Joke

So Robbie just got up and didn't sleep well today so he's a little....let's just say....sleeeepy. Anywho, I went in to Addison and told her to go tell Daddy a joke and make him laugh. She promptly ran in to the kitchen and started yelling at her Daddy "You're a joke, you're a joke" and laughing hysterically. Well it had the desired outcome, but not exactly what I had in mind. lol.

Beach fun

We have had an awesome summer and it continued last week when we went to Zuma Beach with some super fun peeps...

The whole group....The Farrell's, The Lynch's and us! 6 kids, 6 adults and 2 bambinos on the way. Becky and I are due 12 days apart...She is due September 17th and me the 29th.

uhhhh.....my frisbee does NOT have a hole it!

Addison and Landon. These two were born just a couple weeks apart. =) Cute blondies.

and this is Maddox, he was born in June of the same year! CUTE.I have no idea why Maddox's pic is way bigger than all the rest. different format I guess? Well he is larger than life, so it fits! =) lol.

And next Tuesday we are going back to Zuma for a beach trip with some officer's families and friends. Should be fun!

Headed to the store...

Allie told me 400 times this morning "bye bye" and then headed off in her Elton john sunglasses and her easter basket purse to the store with her cart. She was struttin' her stuff too, little crazy girl. She is a riot.

Just for fun

Rob was pretty amazed at how much Evelyn had grown while we were gone. So Mr. Funny Guy had me hold up a watermelon to compare. ya. hahaha

Bowling....Day 1

Here are a few pictures of Addison's bowling class. She had so much fun and the class was perfect, under ten kids. She liked the shoes the best I think! She didn't want to give them back at the end.
I went because Robbie had court, but it turned out that he was there for the beginning and then made it back at the end as well. Super fun!!

Bedrooms

Amber found this vinyl, and of course, I LOVE it. I am looking for somewhere to get it...I will not rest until I have found it. It is so super adorable. I cannot wait until Robbie gets his stuff out of the office and I can go to town on that room. I CANNOT WAIT to get it all put together. I think Addison is going to LOVE her new room and I KNOW she is going to love her bigger bed. It just makes me laugh to think of each little blond girl running off to her bedroom at night. Saying goodnight and hugging and kissing as Allie and Addi do now. I love love our floor plan and think it is absolutely perfect for our kiddie situation. Robbie picked the perfect house in this one and I will forever be grateful---now get your stuff out of Addison's future bedroom!!! lol.

Scoooooter!

Allie is adorable in her sun hat and Addison's dress. lol

Allie in HOT pursuit!!

Here is Addison showing her new scooter and helmet.

She Loves it! Thanks Great Grandma! =))

Musical Bedrooms...

Okay so I have a decision to make and I need to get it done.
Where to put Evelyn? and Addi and Allie??
After "deciding" at least four times and then undeciding again, I think I have come to a conclusion....

Okay... Allie will hold still. She is great in her room, it works. I will move Addison to what is now the office (the bedroom next to Allie) and put Evelyn in Addison's room. (The only room somewhat removed from the other two). I like this idea because Addi and Allie sleep great, no worries there and also because this way Evelyn will be a little secluded from them and that will make for a more peaceful nursery for her. When the big girls come up to go to bed they won't have to go by her room, they can just go straight to theirs. Yes I like this idea. Plus when Daddy is home to help, I will be able to take Evelyn to the back bedroom and nurse and snuggle and he will be able to put the big girls down in their rooms without running back and forth. Their doors will be almost right next to each other.
Okay it's all coming together. I will graduate Addison up to the double bed that is in the office now. That mattress is awesome, I will just get her a headboard and footboard, I will put the cherry crib back in Evelyn's room and leave one twin bed in there as well and Allie's room will stay exactly the same. I won't even have to paint the office because Amber is going to design Addison a big girl room with the grey paint and yellow and white accents, which I LOVE the idea of. I am all about yellow right now. Evelyn will get the green bedroom and we will work a little baby in there and we'll be all set. So really all I will need is a headboard/footboard for what will be Addison's bed, and then a dresser for Evelyn. And I will definitely be getting Evelyn the same IKEA dresser I got the big girls. Sweet. It's all coming together...finally.
Now hopefully I won't change my mind...again! lol.

Holy Tantrum!

Okay so today Great Grandma flew home out of Burbank. I was very clear from the beginning that JUST GG was flying and we were just dropping her off. This apparently was lost on Addison because as soon as we got close to the airport, she was all about flying with GG. Well that gave way to tears and clinging as GG left at the airport and then outright screaming as we watched GG walk away to check in. She was entirely heartbroken to not be going with Grandma. And this did not stop even as we drove away, it went on and on and on. I tried everything- even offering to call Jimmy (her cousin), and that ALWAYS works. We talked about Jimmy coming to visit, but that just made it worse because then she decided she wanted to fly to Jimmy's house! AGH! and now it's hours later, Daddy is up and they are talking and she is starting again with "I wanna go to the airport". Oh my goodness child! She may possibly be our world traveler if this doesn't fade! lol. Seriously worst tantrum of her life.

We Are Home!!

What a great trip! I loved almost every single minute of it and that is rare to say when you are on vacation for THREE weeks!! lol.

I tried to post as often as possible while gone so there wouldn't be so much to post upon our return, so this might be kinda boring. =)

The girls are very happy to be back tho. Allie was most excited about her high chair, she ran right to it and was dancing around in front of it. What a kook!

Addison is happy about her bed I think. Both girls have been sleeping like crazy since being back, just trying to catch up. I am NOT complaining!! =)

Rob hasn't had time off since we've been back, so we are really looking forward to Monday when he is off. But then it's back to the busy with a couple appts. Monday and a full day of plans on Tuesday. Dr's appts, court, etc. I guess real life had to hit sometime! lol.

Thanks to all who made our trip great. We made a ton of great memories. =)

Countdown to Evelyn... too soon to believe!!! I can't wait!

Fancy hair-do

Allie is very happy with her hairdo. She woke up saying "bow?" and then ran to my vanity for her bows. Even after she had one in she wanted more! lol.

So here is her hair for the first time like this. =)

I LOVE her baby blues.

Plus she just looks ADORABLE in these photos!

Robbie's project

Robbie has gotten a lot done while we have been gone, but I am sure this has been the most enjoyable project!
He got this hood off of craigslist the same weekend he bought his car, but hadn't had time to do very much with it. So he got it mounted and the windshield mounted to it and then primed and painted. It looks awesome! I am anxious to get home and see it in person. He took it out behind our house and spun some cookies and "tried it out". lol. So after a few more tweaks he'll be driving it to work again and that'll be fun. i love the buggy.

And now the hood painted. Looks SOOOOOO good.

Pouring a little concrete

Faces don't get so dirty as at Grandma and Grandpa's! She loved it.
Addison was playing, but Allie was determined to "help" Grandpa. She picked rocks but then had to take a little break. =)

Addison is the fastest tri-cycler in the west!
Allie picking rocks with Grandpa. Such a big helper!

Fireworks!!!

Allie liked throwing the pop-its but she REALLY liked to throw them on the ground and STOMP them. She is so much fun.

Chillin' with Grandpa. It is so much fun to watch my girls loving my parents. It's awesome.

Easter in July!

What can we say?! We lovvve egg hunts! We were having them so often at home I started dreaming about egg hunts. So when Addison found eggs in Grandma's closet, that was it....EGG HUNT in July!

Check out Allie's little face in this one. I cannot stop laughing every time I look at this picture. It just cracks me up! She is so so perfect. Rob is not going to believe how much she has changed these past few weeks. It's amazing.

Swim girls

Me and my girls in the pool. They loooove the water. Sweet water babies.

More pics from reunion weekend...

Allie saw Seth taking her picture from all the way across the yard and lowered her sunglasses for a better shot. lol. She is so funny.
She is FLYING in the swing. Underdog!

Addison touched the tree on this one and loved it.

Jimmy getting Addison in their floaty boats. =)

Addison was growling and after somebody!