Hockey

Some friends of ours invited us to a hockey game a little while ago. We had so much fun! We had never been to a hockey game before. We left Addison with a babysitter and we're so glad we did. It was a little cold and really loud. We're looking forward to the next time we go!!!

3:35 A.M.

Yes, that's what time it is. I have been awake for the last 2 hours listening to my poor baby cry. It's no surprise to anyone who reads this blog that Addison is a bad nighttime sleeper. This past week she took a turn for the worst, waking every hour and sometimes taking an hour just to get her back to sleep. Her pediatrician warned me about this, around 5-6 months they start this not liking the separation from mom. She's not hungry anymore, she doesn't need to eat in the night now. She needs to learn to get herself back to sleep.

How long does that take? I'm on night ONE, 2 hours and 15minutes into this horrible process. That's how long she's been crying. After 2 hours I just couldn't stand it anymore. I went to her and fought back even urge to pick up my crying child. I gave her a binkie and rubbed her little head. She stopped crying for about 3 whole minutes. 10 minutes later Adam got up and did the same. Was this wrong? Did I just ruin everything? I don't know, I don't care. She is just whimpering now. I think she might be getting tired again.

At what point do I pick her up and hold her? Do I let her cry all night? Would I ruin everything if I let her cry for so long and then pick her up? It's almost been 2 1/2 hours. Molly and Elley never had issues sleeping so this is all new to me. My poor baby girl.....all I want to do is hold her!

Christmas Tree 2011

This is our tree, isn't it cute? It was one of the first ones we saw, we knew it had to be ours. And see that cute boy in the yellow sweatshirt? That's our cousin Gavin...we love him!

Oh My Gosh, I Love This Girl.

Molly had a birthday...shout HORRAY!

That's right, this girl is THREE. I'm a few weeks late...okay, a month...but we still love her just the same.

She is sugar and spice all rolled into one! Well, mostly spice, but her sugar is OH SO SWEET!

That smile, those eyes, that hair, that sass! Oh my gosh, I just want to squeeze her.

Her actual birthday was kind of a bummer. She spent most of the weekend like the pictures below, and you can read all about it here.

We actually made it out of the house and to dinner, although it wasn't much fun for the girls.

This smile is a little forced, not feeling the birthday dinner!

When we got home we opened a few presents. She got makeup, Princess Polly Pocket, sticker books, and some puzzles. Earlier in the afternoon on her birthday we made some rainbow cupcakes. By the time we went to dinner and opened gifts no one really wanted cake.

Oh well, life happens sometimes.......

but just look at how cute she is playing makeup

Happy Birthday Molly Girl!

Better Late Than Never

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't post anything about Halloween? I know, I know, we're already  into the Christmas season but, you know...better late than never. 

My two cute witches!

Miss Elley 

Molly and Elley with our good friend and neighbor, Reese. 

left to right:

Hailey, Reese, Molly, Elley, Hunter, Carter, Avery, and Boston 

We had a little Halloween party before we took the kids Trick or Treating. Well, not really a party, just dinner. Fun times though, it's fun to celebrate with others.

 Here we are trick or treating

Also, daddy's work puts on a trick or treat day at all the offices. Here is a picture of all 3 girls, my two witches and a pumpkin.

Smart A

We met daddy for dinner tonight after he got off work. After dinner we made an impromptu stop to Cabelas. Oh, the fun of seeing dead and stuffed deer, bear, and goats. The girls love it, daddy loves it, and so I must love it. There's more to Cabelas than just stuffed deer. The talking man is a big hit, the fish are always fun to see, and let's not forget about the candied almonds and the delicious fudge. That's pretty much why I say "okay, let's go." Daddy always buys mommy chocolate peanut butter fudge, YUM!

Since we met daddy at dinner we had 2 cars. As we were getting onto the freeway I heard Molly talking to Elley saying something about leaving the store, and there it goes.

Then Elley chimes in..."That's Cabelas smart ass!"

Oh My Gosh! Did my nearly 5 year old just call her 3 year old sister a smart ass? Focus on the road Keely, focus on the road. I'm so glad Adam isn't in the car at this point as I'm trying with everything I have to not burst out in laughter. I give myself a few minutes and finally gain composure enough to explain why we don't call anyone that name. She understood and hopefully we won't hear it again from Elley or Molly.

Oh, and just for the record...she didn't learn that one from either Adam or I. It's that time of year... the time you dust off those Christmas movies. If you haven't seen A Christmas Story, you're missing out. It puts you in the Christmas spirit and teaches your kids just a little bit of profanity. It's Molly and Elley's favorite Christmas movie, at least up until tonight. Looks like we'll have to find a new favorite Christmas movie... until the girls get a little older!

True Love

You'd think that after getting barfed on by your baby sister you wouldn't be smiling. Well, unless you're name is Elley. I had to tell her to make a gross face for the picture, it's just not normal to be smiling while baby spit up is running down your neck. I guess that is true love for you! She wiped that spit up off her neck, changed her shirt, and asked to hold Addison some more. She sure loves her baby sister and won let a little spit up stand in the way.

This is What 30 Looks Like

I had a birthday a few weeks ago, WOW...I'm 30!

My family spoiled me. I really have the best family ever!

Elley decided to take a few pictures of me before I opened gifts. She kept snapping away because she usually doesn't get to use my camera and she was taking advantage of the time I was giving her. Don't you just love how Molly snuck in for one of the shots? I love that little girl!! 

Well, this is what my 30 looks like. The BEST husband in the world and 3 beautiful girls to go with it. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

And look at this little surprise! A new Mac Book Pro. Adam sure won some brownie points with that one. I'm a little older than him so I think he was trying to set a standard for when he turns the big 3-0. In any case, I LOVE IT!!!

So, You Want Six?

This afternoon Annie needed some more food. We keep her dog food out in the garage and when we run out in the house I ask the girls to go get some. They tend to fight about who gets to get it, we usually take turns. Today I asked if they could both go without fighting.

Me: "Girls, can you both go get me some more of Annie's food?"

Girls: "Yes!"

Me:"Okay, Elley you get me three (they come in packets) and Molly, you get me three."

And without even skipping a beat Elley says, "so, you want six?"

What a smartie pants!!! :)

Just Venting

I'm feeling the need to rage a little. Blogs are funny. Mine is for the good, usually. Today, the not so good.

Adam got me a new laptop for my birthday. I'm enjoying this new little toy. The chance to sit almost anywhere and be connected to the internet. It's been fun at night, when the house is asleep, to sit in my bed and watch missed shows from the day or week before, look at Pintrest, Facebook, or read blogs.

Tonight, the house is asleep and I'm feeling the need to vent. I might not even post this, maybe save it until tomorrow and then decide to post or not. I consider myself to be a pretty upbeat person. I get annoyed at things sure, but who doesn't. I can have my negative moments that sometimes last for days....sometimes weeks, but I eventually snap out of them. Well, I'm in a slump...maybe this blog post will help me get over it.

My kids are sick. Really sick. Not just a cold/stuffy nose/cough, but a stomach bug. The nasty kind, the kind that overtakes your whole house, the kind that keeps you coped up for days....maybe even a week, the kind that makes you keep your kids home from school and your husband home from work.

Elley woke up early Thursday morning throwing up. I hate throw up. That poor girl threw up for 12 hours. 12 hours! She laid on the couch saying, "mommy, my whole body hurts."

Please let it only be Elley, please! Molly threw up later that night. She didn't get it as bad as Elley, Molly has only thrown up twice. Instead, Molly gets the other end, which Elley gets too. Barf and poop, what fun for me! So, here I am...holding bowls and wiping butts. Holding bowls because, 1) Elley doesn't like to use the toilet, and 2) after the 2nd or 3rd time throwing up theres really nothing left, why run to the bathroom? Oh yeah, and why is it that we had to have lasagna for dinner the night Elley became sick. She barfed all over the stairs. Yes, barfed up lasagna all over the stairs.

Friday was Molly's birthday. 3 years old, wow...what a big girl. We had a little party planned that we had to cancel. Poor girl, sick for her birthday. We went out to eat that night anyway, Buffalo Wild Wings...the girls love that place, they hardly had a bite.

Saturday they were feeling better, YAY...maybe we're getting over it. Not the case. Elley uses the bathroom. She calls me in and says, "mom, I think I just peed out my butt, and it keeps coming."

Molly wakes up Sunday morning and has had an accident in her bed. She just couldn't hold it. And we're not talking pee. I put her in the bath and run upstairs to take all the bedding off. She calls for me but I'm too late, she is now bathing in it.

By lunch they are starving. Elley throws up lunch. By dinner they are starving. Molly throws up dinner. More laundry, more poop, more whine.

And let's not forget Addison. How do you keep her sick sisters away from her? I tried the best I could. She's had 3 poopie diapers today with a diaper rash to go with it. Did she catch the bug? I don't know. I don't think so. I hope not!

I hate it when the kids get sick. I've gone a little crazy in the last few days, and so have the kids. Elley hates not being able to go to school, play with friends, go to birthdays, go to church. But mostly, hold Addison.

We have a trip planned for tomorrow. Nothing huge, just a few days in Twin, but that's not looking so good right now.

Sickness never is planned. There is never a good time to be sick. But this bug hit us hard. Lucky for me, I didn't get it. I guess I'm not really out of the woods yet. Adam called in sick for tomorrow so he'll be able to help with the kids, although, he's got his own bug issues going on.

My hands are so raw from all the washing and disinfecting. After this I'm buying new tupperware. (that's what we've been puking in)

This past week has made me thankful for good health. I'm ready for this to be OVER.

Ahhh, I feel better. Sorry for those who read this, just needed to vent a little!  

When the Flu Hits....

We go from this.....

To this....

And this....

I hope my girls are better tomorrow!!!

You Are So Loved

I know I've mentioned before how much we love having Addison in our family, but I have to mention it again.

WE LOVE ADDISON!

She brings such joy to our house. Molly and Elley can't get enough of her, which can be good and bad. Elley would hold her all day long if I let her. The other day Elley asked if she could hold Addison while I was making dinner and as a joke I said that she could either hold Addison or eat dinner, and if she picked Addison she couldn't have any food for the rest of the night. Well, Elley picked Addison and of course I let her have dinner too!

This is a rare moment, only Molly by Addison. Usually Elley is right next to her as well waiting for the chance to have her all to herself. She was at school this day and Molly was enjoying every bit of Addison she could.

Elley is so gentle with Addison. We have this little kid size rocking chair and it's Elley's favorite chair to rock Addison to sleep. This was such a sweet moment!

I can't believe Addison is now 4 months old! She is perfect in every way....except nighttime sleep. I feel like a zombie. She has always been a little stink about sleep. Molly and Elley did just fine, but Addison...she likes to keep her mom up at night. She had her 4 months check up the other day and her doctor said she is now old enough to sleep for 11 hour stretches. I wish!!! I've tried to let her cry, I've given her her binkie, I wrap her back up and try and rock her, but the only thing that settles her down is to nurse her. Maybe she needs solid food? A little rice cereal before bed? I've given her a formula bottle at night after I've nursed her and that didn't help or make a difference at all. I know part of it is just habit of nursing her back to sleep but after I've tried everything else....I'm just so tired! Looks like we'll be starting her on cereal a little sooner than planned.

At her 4 month check up she was weighed and came in at 11lbs 14ozs. And that was right after I fed her. What a tiny little bug. 10% for weight and 25% for height.

Onto her latest trick.....

Rolling over!

I did it!!!

Our Trip to Washington

We are so lucky! We had the chance to go to Washington a few weeks ago. We love visiting Grandma and Grandpa's house and all the fun things that we get to do with them.

Grandma bought new play dishes and new play food for her grandkids to play with while we were there. Molly and Elley loved that.

The girls also helped in Grandpa and Grandma's garden. They had the best time picking carrots. And every night we ate food that came from their garden...so yummy!!!

Molly had a fun time picking flowers












Grandma and Grandpa's house

Helping Grandma put up her witch

In Leavenworth right outside the chocolate store

We were there on a Saturday that the Huskies were playing. Dressing up the baby and good food!

some of the cousins
Molly, Mara, Elley, Emily, and Sophie

Everyone wanted me to take a picture of them so they could be on my blog. (click on the picture for a bigger view)

We love going to Washington and love seeing our family. We are grateful for the wonderful family that we have. We miss Washington, but are thankful to now live in Idaho. The blessings of living in this area are poured upon us daily. I know that we came to Idaho kicking and screaming and sometimes we still whine a little but I can honestly say that I wouldn't want to live anywhere but here right now!!!

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

you just might end up having a CHOCOLATE PARTY!

No really, one afternoon I gave Elley some envelops and some paper to do a craft project with, and we ended up with this...

she planned a party, a chocolate party! Those envelopes turned into innovations and the wheels got a turnin' in this cute little girl's head

A chocolate party we had. Our good friend Brittney suggested a chocolate fountain and we ran with it. Elley came up with everything that was to be dipped. Yes, for no reason at all we had a party.

That girl knows how to throw a party!

I'm not gonna lie...I enjoyed the party too. Chocolate is good for the soul!

The kids also played a game. The chocolate walk game....just like a cake walk, only with chocolate candy bars!

Ella, Ellie, Hunter, and Elley

YAY for CHOCOLATE!!!!

Addison Bug

Our little Addison Bug is now 3 months old. She has been such a joy in our family. We all LOVE her. Her cute little smile, those cute big eyes, her bald, perfectly round head, and those juicy cheeks. Oh those cheeks are sooooo kissable!

Addison Rae.....we love you!!!