We're crawling! (November 6, 2008)

Alyssa finally decided to start crawling at almost 13 months old on November 6. She had been doing some kind of scooching before this, but that was the day she just up and decided to be an actual crawler and get around faster! Started just slightly sooner than Rachel did! Rachel was close, but was AFTER her 13 month mark by a few days. Alyssa started a few days before her 13 month mark.

Ack! How did I let so much time slip away since my last post?!

Easy. . . very busy and very sick! I had bronchitis for about four to five weeks, and didn't realize it until the last week. Four weeks into it, I went to the doc, and then after seeing him, took another week to really get better. Needless to say, I have some catching up to do. Both on the blog, and just "stuff."

Here's the late Halloween update:

FOR ALEESHA! You were asking about Alyssa's hair color at the baby shower. Most of the other pics I've posted below, her hair looks red like the other girls, but it's not really like that, so not sure why it shows up in pics that way. This is a truer representation of her hair if you were around her in person. It's a light brown with blond streaks. Maybe has a tinge of red, but it really doesn't scream RED! Here she had just finished enjoying some leftover Halloween pudding. :)

This is the Church trunk or treat party they had. Michaela won best homemade costume! The battery ended up dying on the camera, so this is the only pic I got!

I made their costumes this year. Rachel wanted to be a spider, so I bought a black shirt, and then sewed extra arms to the sides with black fabric. I tacked them together so they would come up when they raised their arms. Between her own two arms and legs, and the four extra, she had her 8 legs! Michaela's costume was an idea inspired by Brandon, and then created by me. They like to play "what animal am I" at night as a family. One time, Brandon got a flashlight, picked up Alyssa, and flew her around flashing the light from her bum. She was a firefly! Keeping with the "bug theme" I thought it would be cute to make Kayla a firefly. . . .IF I could find a light she could wear and flash on its own. We were in luck, and Brandon found one at Home Depot. I did the same for her. . .black shirt and sewed on extra legs to give her 6, since that's how many fireflies have. She also got antennae made of black pipe cleaner, and homemade wings made of cardboard slipped into fabric cut and sewn from the extra leg material. That's what the white yarn is around her neck. . . .holding on her wings!

FHE - Pumpkin Carving

So, last Monday we carved our pumpkin that Aunt Judy gave us for FHE and had our annual Halloween treat. . . Ghosts in the Graveyard. It's a family favorite. We've made it every year since Rachel was very little.

Our pumpkin before surgery!

Cleaning it out

Daddy drawing on the face Rachel designed while Michaela looks on.

All done!

Yumminess!

The kids anxiously awaiting the treat:

Michaela with Jack and Graveyard treat:

1st Birthday pictures!

Ok, so I have soooooo much to catch up on. Been WAY too busy. . .and of course that means LOTS to talk about, and little time to do so. Here's some pics from Alyssa's birthday.

What's a birthday without presents!?
Thank you to Grandparents Turpin, Grandparents Doyal, and Great-Grandparents Avery
and Mommy and Daddy

Checking out a new high chair toy:

October Birthday Girl and her Halloweenish cake

Yay! Everyone just sang a song about me, so it MUST be a reason to clap!

Balloons are fun!

Eating cake

My two favorite "after eating cake" pics:

Trying out some of her new toys for her swing.

We sign our kids up for the Baskin Robins Birthday Club before their first birthdays.
Here's Alyssa eating her first free BR birthday ice cream!

All Done!

Happy Birthday to my baby!

Today was Alyssa's first birthday! We actually celebrated with cake/ice cream and presents last night since tonight was gymnastics, and I didn't want her celebration to be rushed after getting back before bed. I haven't downloaded the pics yet, so I'll have to share those later.

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I can't believe you're a year old already. :(

My dad is going to Baghdad

For 3 months and I'm so scared! He leaves on the 13th. He's had military training (I'm an Army brat); but he's a 55 year old man now and it's scary over there. He's going there for a construction project his company is working on, not the war, so at least he's not fighting, but it's still scary over there and he'll stick out like a sore thumb as an American. I can't stop crying. Why do they have to send my dad there? Why are they doing a project there? When I first heard of the possibility, I thought it was going to be a one or two week thing. (Like when he went to Haiti for a week.) Now, it's for sure and 3 months now.

My lil bookworms

I thought this pic was adorable. This past Monday, I picked up some $1 Halloween board books from Target. The girls decided to sit down and look at them that evening. Alyssa even wanted one too!

The past couple weekends. . .part 1

TWO weekends ago on September 6, we got lots of rain from TS Hanna overnight and in the morning, and then in the afternoon we went to a Fisher Price party that Alyssa was invited to. She got some free toys for attending. She actually got two free toys instead of one since a lot of the people that were going to come, didn't. :)

The bucket was empty before the rain came:

Alyssa playing with her new, free toys! She was just too cute, so I'm posting a bunch. While I was taking several shots, she just kept laughing and smiling up a storm, so I got lots of good shots. I'm actually leaving quite a few good ones out, but here's some of my faves:

The past couple weekends. . .part 2

This past Saturday, September 13, we went to the baby reunion my RE office, Carolina Conceptions, was holding. Man! I've never seen so many sets of triplets and twins in one place in my life! There must have been about 8 sets of triplets, and the sets of twins was about double that or so. The ratio of singleton babies to multiples had to have been about 50/50. I guess that's to be expected though when you attend a baby reunion among folks who need fertility help. Kinda made me start thinking about Alyssa's twin that vanished. :( Although, her twin happened naturally, not the effect of fertility drugs since I need help to STAY pg, not GET pg. It was the first baby reunion they've held.

They had a train for the older kids to ride on, and a bouncy thing. Food, face/hand painting, door prizes. It was a good time. It was really hot though! Some pics:

Rachel and her art:

Kayla getting painted:

Kayla's ladybug:

Getting ready to go on the train:

The train in motion:

Alyssa playing with the music display there:

Gymnastics is a big hit! And tooth number SIX is gone!

The girls LOVE gymnastics! Today was their second class. They enjoy it more than dance. When it's time to go, they both talk about how much fun it is, and how they don't want to leave. Rachel can't wait for next Thursday! Dance classes never got that response, although they enjoyed that too.

Today, Rachel lost tooth number six about one minute before her class started. She was sitting there with the other girls in their designated area. She was rolling around and her knee bumped her already really loose tooth, and it was out! We cleaned it up and while we were waiting for the bleeding to stop, the other girls were doing their warm up. So, she missed warm up today.

Here's some pics of them ready to go this evening before heading out:

This kid either never smiles, or gives a cheesy grin!

Both of them, Michaela is actually smiling nicely in this one!

Sister love!

Rachel's new mouth :)

Going to try something new!

So, the last year and a half the girls took dance. This year we're going to try gymnastics, for two reasons. First, the dance place didn't have classes for both the girls at the same time this year. I had originally signed them up for the homeschool class they could take together on Thursday afternoons, but it didn't fill up enough, so they canceled it. Second, when asking Rachel if she'd rather keep doing dance, or try gymnastics this year, she said gymnastics.

I found a place that looks good nearby, so we're going to check it out next Thursday. If we decide to go with it, they'll both be able to take a class on Thursday nights from 6-7. Michaela in the preschool class, and Rachel in the Beginner 5-7 yo class. Rachel is really excited. Michaela is indifferent. When I ask her, she says, "Ok, I'll try e-as-ties," in a very not so convinced tone of voice. Then, when I showed her the pictures on the web site of the place, and asked her if she wanted to do that. . . .she got SOOOO excited! So, hopefully this'll be good! Michaela sometimes wouldn't participate well in dance, maybe she'll like this better. :)

As far as other extracurriculars go, Rachel will continue in Girl Scouts and will be a Brownie this year! We're also *thinking* of getting an electric piano with weighted keys so Rachel can start piano lessons as well. We'll see. . . .

Alyssa ~ Various things

Yesterday, Alyssa had a doc appointment. The doctor was pleased with her improvement and her weight is now 14 lbs 3 oz. I think she's finally just catching up from March and part of April when she was refusing to eat from a spoon when we were trying to introduce that. Plus, our kids are just smaller than average to begin with from their daddy's side. For their family, being 15-18 lbs on the first birthday is normal. I think Alyssa will safely be in that range on her first birthday. Rachel and Michaela were 18 lbs on their first birthday's. The dr said she has acid reflux, and that's why she is constantly having food come up. Usually, she swallows it back down, only about 1-2 bites worth actually gets lost from coming out of the mouth, if that. She gave her an Rx for Prevacid. I hope it helps! If it doesn't, well, I just feel sorry for Alyssa and just want something to help her, so I'll be sad if it doesn't help.

She can pretty much sit on her own better now. She'll topple over after 5-10 minutes vs. only a few seconds. She's rolling around the room to get somewhere, and seems to be trying to figure out how to crawl. Also, trying to talk. She tries so hard to repeat mama and 'I love you,' but isn't quite there yet. She's also figured out how to jump in the jumper.

Then, at mealtime prayers. . .before we start, Alyssa likes to sit there and whine impatiently wanting her food to be given to her NOW. As soon as someone (usually me) announces that it's time to say the prayer, she'll all of a sudden get quiet and stay quiet until the end of the prayer. lol It's as if she knows somehow. And half the time she'll fold her hands like Michaela does. I think she watches her and copies what she does.

Fizzy dinosaur egg

So, giving the two oldest girls a bath this morning, Rachel asks if we can do one of those eggs that fizz when you put them into the water. It's been a while since we've done one, but we've done them before. Both girls were getting all excited for it. I put it in, and they were scared of the thing! I couldn't believe it. For as excited as they were to have it, I never expected them to be scared of it. They were both crowding on the other side of the tub trying to get away from the fizzing lump, and screaming like a couple of little girls. lol It was truly a hysterical sight! Michaela was concerned mostly of the fact that the water was now turning purple. She wanted me to take her out in order to "save her," but I made her stay in and learn that it was ok. When it was all done, neither of them wanted to pick up the little baby dinosaur that was now reveled. So, mommy to the rescue had to do it! After they saw me holding it, and what it was, they weren't afraid to touch it. Rachel is now doing her reading assignment with the baby dino by her side. . . .go figure!

It's my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! :) . . . . . . 31 today!

Brandon took me out Saturday night, got a babysitter and all. That was nice. :) Chose Olive Garden again. . . . Rachel drew me a Happy Birthday picture this morning. And of course, there will be no school today because today is a holiday! ;) I think I'll take the girls to the library later, and do some fun stuff.

Americans got gold and silver on the beam today in the Olympics. . . .finally didn't get ripped off! Guess my birthday brought them some good luck. . . . :) lol

There's one with teeth coming out, and one with teeth coming IN. . . :)

So, yesterday. . . . . a week after Rachel lost her 5th tooth, I noticed that Alyssa is getting her FIRST tooth! :) It's about time! Ten months old, and finally gettin' a toofer. It's still barely visible. . . .just breaking the skin. So, we're loosing teeth and getting teeth here at our house. :) And it looks as though. . . . . .

WE HAVE ENAMEL!

That's a big deal around here since Rachel doesn't have enamel, and her dentist said that it *could* happen again since it's genetic, VERY rare, but genetic. I've been nervous about having another kid with this problem. So, I've been waiting on pins and needles for her teeth to come in so I can see if they're white or yellow. It's looking white so far! Not sure how Rachel ended up with the problem since Brandon and I both have wonderful teeth that never have many problems. I've never had a cavity EVER, and Brandon got his first cavities a couple years ago, none up until then.

Still needing to get a pic up of Rachel and her missing teeth. Our card reader isn't working properly, so I always have to get Brandon to upload them to the computer, and I keep forgetting to ask when he's around. He has some other way about getting them on without the card reader that I haven't figured out yet. :(

On her way to sitting!

Alyssa has been getting better at sitting up! I think the longest she's sat now is 30 seconds before falling over. She turned 10 months old yesterday. . .getting so big! Pretty soon she won't be my baby anymore! Well, for another year or so, then she won't be a baby anymore. . . .Still I wish they could stay babies longer! I'm sure the last year of being a baby will fly. . . . :(

She gets to go to a Fisher Price party in September. Someone from Cisco won a party to try out new toys that haven't been released yet. They look like fun toys! For coming, we'll get some coupons, and she'll get a free toy. . .small toy. . .not a big one like the ones they'll be trying out. But, hey! It's something! :) We're excited. It should be fun. :)

Missing tooth number FIVE!

Rachel lost tooth number five today! She's been complaining for a few days now about it, and not liking to eat. Around lunch, it was pretty much just laying sideways, and Brandon just had to barely touch it, and it came out. At least now we won't be hearing complaints at mealtimes. . . until the next one! One of her top teeth have been barely loose for a while now. . .not sure when it'll get really loose. That one seems to be taking it's time.

Memory Lane

A little game for the bloggers:
M E M O R Y L A N E

How to play:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Rules: Anything funny, strange, cool, embarrassing, or awful you remember about me. This could be interesting. . .

Can't believe I forgot to post!

It was Rachel's 6th birthday last Monday, July 7th! Happy Birthday big girl! We remembered to celebrate and have cake. . . just didn't get on here with as busy as our lives are! She chose some crazy, squiggly candles for her cake, and she picked out a "Happy Birthday Princess!" balloon at the grocery store. She chose pizza for dinner. :)

Here's Brandon and Rachel eating their free Birthday ice cream at Baskin Robbins, July 5th:



Her b/day cake with curly candles she picked out:





Alyssa after having some of Rachel's cake!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July, and Happy Birthday to my Dad!

We started off the day going to our Ward pancake breakfast at a park. The girls had lots of fun playing. Pretty much took the rest of the day easy, and took turns playing Wii Fit. Had veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs for dinner, then did fireworks outside on our driveway. Michaela had a little accident. :( They were doing sparklers, and after hers had burnt all out, she went and touched the hot stick. (Even after telling her to never touch up there.) Luckily I saw her do it, so I knew what happened and was able to take care of it right away. Had I not seen it and she just start crying, we would have had to take time to figure out what was wrong before treating it. It happened so quickly that I didn't have a chance to stop her before it happened. By the time I realized, she had already touched it and was about to cry. I grabbed her and ran her over to the water spigot on the side of the house and put her finger under the water. Everyone else was clueless and was wondering what was going on. Luckily, it's not too terribly bad of a burn, but still so sad to see my baby hurting. :( Hopefully taking care of it right away, and putting ice and medicine on it after we did the initial water will help it heal faster.

Finally!

We found a Wii Fit! Brandon found one yesterday. He was coming home from work early, and decided to stop off at Best Buy just to see since he had some time. There were four just sitting there with nobody rushing to get them! *shock* So, he purchased one and brought it home. :) It's a great game. My muscles are soooooo sore now! This is MUCH better motivation to exercise!

Happy Birthday, Brandon!

Happy Birthday, Hon! Brandon is 37 today! Few more days and it'll be Rachel's turn. . . . .

Garden update

So, we get back from our trip, and our garden has majorly grown! I even had the weeds under control before leaving, and in 10 days we're back to having a serious weed problem. I spent today getting a lot of them pulled out, but still have lots to do. I thought the squash plants I got from Kmart and transplanted weren't going to make it since they were looking pathetic. But, to my surprise, they are thriving! Came back to big, healthy squash plants! :) Everything is doing well, I'm happy to report. Except maybe a couple of the cantaloupe plants that look the same size as they were before we headed out of town. The tomatoes and cucumbers are starting to get flowers. :) Need to plant the pumpkin seeds soon!

Here's a current pic of the garden:

It's my anniversary!

So, today was me and Brandon's anniversary! :) 8 whole years that have flown by! Last Friday we got a babysitter and went out to eat together, just us. :) Went to Olive Garden. . .again. . . I love OG! Did a little shopping and then got Chick-fil-A shakes before heading home.

Today, Brandon got to work from home. So, I didn't get to have the computer ALL DAY today! We went out to Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight as a family.

Bridging Ceremony from Daisys to Brownies :)

This weekend, Rachel bridged from Daisy Girl Scouts to Brownies! She is WAY excited to be a Brownie now! Michaela looks forward to being old enough for Girl Scouts someday. . . .2 more years and she'll be Daisy age! There was also a picnic afterwards, and lots of fun and playing was had. :) Her troop leader choose the sash for them over the vest for their uniform. . .I'm excited she chose that because I think it looks nicer. The other troop they bridged with choose the vest. She even already has a Brownie Try-It on her sash! At their last Daisy meeting, they got together with a Brownie troop to learn about what it's like to be a Brownie, and earned the Sharing and Caring Try-It.

Pictures from the event:

Group story with actions:


Rachel bridging from Daisy's to Brownies:






Rachel and her friend, H, from a couple houses down.