Ten on Tuesday - Virginia edition

1. It was hot. Really hot. 100 degrees every day (and I'm rounding. 99 might as well be 100). So we went shopping. Twice. On Monday and Friday. In Durham NC, 1 1/2 hours away. Although it took us closer to two hours b/c we had some difficulties following directions. Both times. The mall was awesome. It's a huge 2-story indoor mall, plus a really nice outdoor mall. Emma loved the fountains. Especially throwing the pennies in. I thought for sure she'd try to jump in but she didn't.


2. We did brave the heat twice. Once on Thursday to see Alpacas. Isn't this one so stinkin' cute!



3. And once to go to the pool. We went swimming in 100 degree heat. Although while in the water it wasn't actually too bad. Once you got out though it was horribly hot. I didn't take any pictures while we were actually in the pool, but here's Emma making a funny face while eating grapes. I realize it probably isn't that funny to you but it makes me chuckle. And also Mackenzie after she woke up from her nap. Being held in the pool wore her out. That, and the fact we were there at nap time.




4. Emma got her first Build-a-Bear, courtesy of my sister, during our first trip to the mall. While she really likes her bear, Patches, she wasn't in to the whole process. She was actually frightened by the stuffing machine.


5. We went to see my Grandma. She had no clue who I was.I saw her in the hall the day before we took the girls to see her and she just said "Who is that pretty young girl." When we told her I was her granddaughter Erin she just told me she loved me. Even though she didn't know us, I'm glad we got to see her.



6. The family reunion was Sunday, the day after we arrived. It was fun to see all our family, many we haven't seen in years. My cousin Kelly, who I was really close to in high school, was there with her two kids. And she'd brought a slip-n-slide. I didn't take Emma's bathing suit, but Kelly gave me a swim diaper so Emma didn't have to miss out on the water fun. She played in the swim diaper and tank top. Didn't bother her a bit to not be in her bathing suit. While she didn't actually slip nor slide, she did splash around in the pool at the end of the slide and drink the water shooting up on the side.



7. I love this picture of Mackenzie. She was sitting in my mom's lap. It's like she just peeked over her shoulder at me to see what I was doing. Just to make sure I was there.


8. Emma threw up in the car on the way home. All I can say is I hope that never happens again. Oh, and thank goodness we happened to be close to a Walmart. Because if it'd happened much sooner or later we'd been stuck in a car full of vomit. Ugh.

9. On our Monday jaunt to the mall we stopped at Duke. Well, we didn't actually stop. We just drove through part of the campus.

10. I've got a slide show of more pictures over on the left if you'd like to see them.

...and we're back!

We got back home Saturday evening. So good to be home. To sleep in my own bed. To not be sleeping in the same room as the girls because I don't do so well with that. I'm working on a recap with lots of photos but until then, here are two of my favorites from this past week.

 
 

And we're off!

Heading out to Virginia tomorrow morning. Well, technically this morning, since it's after midnight. I've got all the toys/food/necessities packed. The girls clothes are in their suitcase, just need to go over it again in the morning. Working on mine. I'm going to get up early so I'm ready when my mom and sister get here. I'm determined to be ready and not be late!

So, let me tell ya about our evening. We attending a graduation party tonight during which Emma fell in the pool. I actually remained remarkably calm -which I still can't believe. (I contribute this to the fact that I knew Michael was right there and that she'd be okay.) We knew it was going to happen inevitably as she was fascinated by the pool. All night long, either one of us, one of the high school kids or one of the parents there was saying, "Emma, move back. Don't get so close. Be careful." Someone was by her at all times because of this, so when she fell in (she was crouched down and bent over to look at something) Michael was right there. There was a collective gasp as he dove (literally) on to the ground and reached over and grabbed her. She went under but only for a few seconds. She cried for a few minutes while we stripped her to her diaper and dried her off. Then she said, and I quote, "Mommy, can I go play game?" referring to the volleyball net. Obviously, not too scarred. The rest of the evening she kept saying "I fell in the water. Daddy rescued me. It was scary." She rode home in her diaper (a dry one!) and shoes. Oh our crazy kid. She has no fear whatsoever.

ETA: So I way trying to fall asleep last night but I kept thinking about this. How much worse it could have been. How thankful I am someone was always by her. How you just can't take your eyes off your children for a second. That I'm glad we know Emma so well. We knew she'd end up in that pool. It's just her. She'd find a way in, even if it was an accident. We'd actually been talking earlier in the evening about a 3-yr old who drowned recently not to far from us. Pools can be so dangerous. I know this. I'm almost paranoid about it. And that's why we watched her like a hawk last night. We shook our heads and laughed about it later, but at the time it was scary. We're very blessed, that's for sure.

I leave you with a couple pictures of Mackenzie I took tonight before we walked to get ice cream. (We needed some after the whole graduation party/pool incident!)I realize they're very similar but just so darn cute that I couldn't pick just one.

 
 

Have a great week and I'll be back posting in a week or so.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Michael's parents, brothers and their families came over Friday night and we were able to get a family picture. Only one missing is Malachi, hopefully Marty and Abby will be able to go to Uganda and bring him home soon.
 

2. Emma is now eating cereal with milk. Happened by accident last week. She usually will only eat dry cereal but when I wasn't looking she dumped her milk in her bowl. I convinced her to take a bite and the rest is history.
 

3. Michael got Emma's 6-12 month clothes down from the attic and I'm now washing them for Mackenzie. Two things happen when I do this: 1. I can't believe Mackenzie is so big she needs these and 2. Every outfit brings back a memory of Emma at that age. With every single one I can remember something she was doing, how she looked, where we went. Makes me a bit weepy inside, I'll admit.

4. Planted flowers yesterday. I'm not a gardener. Don't particularly like it. But I did it. Unfortunately still have more to do. Not today, since it's raining but maybe tomorrow. Or maybe instead I'll meet my mom at the mall and go to Michael's baseball game...

5. Went to CKC Buffalo saturday with Marie and Felicia. Sooo much fun. Saw Wendy, met some Simple people - Marnie Flores, Megan Hoeppner and Cathy Zielskie, did some shopping. Found some fun stuff and actually didn't spend too much. Could have been worse if they'd had the new October Afternoon of KI. We had dinner with Megan and Cathy. We were in the car for a long time - almost 7 hours - but it went fast thanks to the fun music on Felicia's ipod. She needs some Bon Jovi though.

6. We leave in 4 days for Virginia. Girls trip with with my mom, sister and her oldest. Have not yet started to pack.

7. This is michael's last week of school. Summer is almost officially here.

8. Played hopscotch with emma last week. Well, a version of it. I drew it and she just hopped around. While counting. Out of order most of the time. We didn't tackle the rock throwing part.

9. Met my friend Janet for dinner last night. She used to be my supervisor when I worked. So very glad we're still friends and have kept in touch. I love talking with her. It's always fun. We get each other and I appreciate that.

10. Mackenzie is 7 months old as of Sunday. But that's going to get it's own post tomorrow. In the meantime, here she is today enjoying her tiger basketball toy she got for Christmas. She particularly enjoyed trying to eat the bird that isn't even seen in the photo. But it's there.
 


Happy Tuesday!

(I read over this and realized it reads kind of weird. Short and choppy sentences. But I've got an assignment to do so I'm leaving it. Sorry!)

Rubberbands, anyone?

Remember when Emma dumped all her hair rubberbands/clips/bows out? She put a couple on her wrist, turned her hand purple? Well, she's at it again. Not the purple hand part, though. I moved them into her closet, up on a shelf, all neatly organzied in plastic drawers. She climbed up in there and dumped them out.

 
 
 

What a mess. I should mention I'd just bought a pack of 300 of them, so it was an even bigger mess. I made her help me clean them up, which of course took forever. So I told myself to move the bins that enabled her to climb up there and get them. Then I forgot. And she dumped them out again. They're now in our bathroom.

I'm still finding those teeny tiny rubberbands. Found 7 this morning.

In other news, heading out to CKC Buffalo tomorrow with Felicia and Marie. Should be fun!

Happy Friday!

Ten on Tuesday - Memorial Day edition

1. We watched the parade in my hometown yesterday. I don't have any actual parade-watching photos, but this was taken afterwards. Michael took Emma farther down the street so I couldn't take any pictures of her.Although I got one of her running back to us. And usually they have a soldier from every war represented and I take a picture of that but this year they weren't there.Here are the pictures from last year.



2. Shelby's going to be a bubble model.


3. Mackenzie hung out in the stroller at the carnival. She seemed quite content.


4. Emma rode rides at the carnival - the swings (not sure what she's doing here. I think she was "hiding" from me and the camera.), flying elephants, merry-go-round and the trucks.



5. Of course, she had to play on the playground.


6. Here's little blondie at Michael's game on Sunday.


8. And Emma playing on the playground at his game. She did this all on her own, no coaching. She was shocked when the bridge moved and made the appropriate face.

9. Emma's new bike. Surprisingly, she can't quite reach the pedals, at least not enough to pedal and move. But she loves it.

10. A sleeping update - Mackenzie slept through the night both Sunday night and last night! Woo hoo! I didn't even have to get up to give her the binky. Of course, I probably just jinxed myself. And tonight she'll be up three times.

ETA: Apparently, I can't count. Thanks, Mary, for letting me know I forgot number 7. :)

7. Emma won't try cotton candy. Attempted it on Saturday at Blossom Time (the carnival we went to after Michael's game) and she wouldn't try it. She actually seemed somewhat frightened by it. So sadly, I had to eat the whole bag myself. It was hard, let me tell ya.

ETA, again: Also, I should state it was a weekend full of baseball and carnivals. Saturday, alumni baseball game Michael coached then the carnival there. Sunday, Michael played baseball. Monday we went to my mom's for the parade and carnival. I was reading over my post and felt I should explain all the mentioning of baseball and rides and carnivals and such.

Ten on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday.

1. Mackenzie has been rolling onto her stomach in bed a lot. The problem is when she does this, she turns, and always gets her legs stuck hanging out the side. Then she can't get out. And she cries until I come to her rescue.

2. Emma says 'lay up' when she means 'sit up'. I find this really cute. Example: I lay down on the floor and she immediately says, in her very bossy voice, "No Mommy! Lay up! Lay up!"

3. At 11:30 Tuesday night I was sitting on Emma's bed with Mackenzie on my lap while they laughed at each other. Why? Because they'd both woken up - Emma completly freaked out and Mackenzie wouldn't stop crying so we all just hung out for a while. And that's the short version.

4. I Zumba'd last night. Fun and funny at the same time. You should try it.

5. I got new sheets Tuesday, washed them and got them on the bed. I love them. Haven't bought new sheets since our shower, 5 years ago!

6. Saturday was Claire's first birthday party. I love this picture of Emma and Claire. It's not the best as it's off-center and Emma's cut off but it's so cute.  

7. Motts for Tots juice boxes are ingenious. I always water down Emma's juice. It's just too strong. So I've never bought juice boxes. That and it's cheaper to buy a big bottle of juice. Then I saw these at the grocery store - although now that I think of it my friend Lisa might've had them at her house a couple weeks ago - they're juice boxes but with water added, perfect for toddlers. A mom had to have invented these.

8. For the first time I did not watch the American Idol finale last night. I barely watched it at all this season. Although I did enjoy a couple David Cook songs this season. I'm glad he won.

9. I had a meeting for VBS last night. I'm teaching kindergarteners this year. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the info right now but excited.

10. Emma spent 50 minutes on potty this morning - and never went. We gave up.

Last Wednesdsay...

I took this picture up in Mackenzie's room. Moments before, they were both looking up at me and smiling. Then Emma saw the camera and the "Mommy, don't take a picture"s started and she tried to get away. Mackenzie just looked at me in surprise as if she'd never seen me before.

That evening, Michael built Emma's first fort. Did you make blanket forts when you were a kid? I did all the time. Mine were either multiple "rooms" in the living room or a giant one using the dining room table. Emma was all about the fort. Or, as she called it, the fork. Although a couple times she attempted to walk on it. Seriously. She thought she could climb up on the chair or piano bench and step onto the fort. Thankfully, I caught her in time. That would've been ugly.



Battle update: The last two nights have been better. Saturday night Mackenzie woke up once, I put her binky back in and she went back to sleep until morning. I had 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep and it was awesome. Last night she didn't wake up until 5:30!!! And I think she might've gone back to sleep with just the binky replacement but I was so tired and not wanting to hear crying for an hour that I fed her. Looking back, shouldn't have done that, might've set me back a bit. BUT, I feel I have won the latest round. Now we'll see how tonight goes...

The battle lines are drawn

It's me versus this little one

 

when it comes to sleeping through the night. And so far she's winning. Like, it's not even close. Wednesday night she fussed and cried for an hour. I went in a couple times, put her binky in. I shut our door, turned on the TV to drown her out. But in the end I couldn't do it. I fed her. Then we both got some sleep. Last night I decided I was just too worn out to deal with that, so I fed her when she first woke up. But tonight we will battle again. Mommy-who-is-tired-of-getting-up-in-the-night vs. 6-month-old-who-wants-to-eat-out-of-habit. Who is more stubborn? I would've thought it was me, but Mackenzie sure puts up a good fight.

Ten on Tuesday (posted on Wednesday)

1. I took these pictures of Mackenzie at Michael's game tonight. In the first one, Michael was holding her after the game. I took the other two during the game. She's sitting up so well! Tonight she sat up for the longest period yet.




2. The whole getting-Mackenzie-to-sleep-through-the-night thing hasn't been going as well as I'd hoped. But Sunday night, we had a breakthrough. Mackenzie only woke up once, around 1:30 am, and I put her binky in and she went back to sleep. But then last night didn't go as well. She only drank about an ounce before going to bed. Then she woke up three times and the last time, around 3 am, I fed her. I figured she might actually be hungry. And she was. She slept until 8 am after that.

3. Emma seems to be afraid of the dark. At least when she wakes up in the middle of the night. I need to replace the bulb in her night light and she woke up and completely freaked out. I'm not sure I'd like waking up to a pitch black room either. I moved the nightlight from the bathroom into her bedroom and all was fine. The chocolate milk helped too. Although it wasn't really chocolate. She hasn't seemed to figure that out yet. She calls all milk chocolate or strawberry whether it is or it's plain.

4. Emma helped Michael cut the grass Saturday.


5. I made banana bread tonight. Michael and Emma love it. Me, not so much. Although I do enjoy how yummy it makes my house smell.

6. Some of my favorite shows were cancelled and I'm bummed. Moonlight and New Amsterdam are not coming back next year. Neither is Shark, and I liked that, too.

7. I finished reading Stephenie Meyer's new novel, The Host. Oh, is it good! If you read it, let me know what you think!

8. I finished up 3 more pages tonight! (including one about picking out Emma's first Christmas tree. Yes, that one would be about 2 years old.)The to-be-finished pile is slowly getting smaller.

9. I do not have a free Sunday until July 19th. Seriously.

10. Tomorrow I'm making on of my favorite childhood, and adulthood, dishes of my mom's. I've yet to make it so it tastes like her's. Maybe this time I'll get it right.

Mother's Day

I had a fantastic Mother's Day. It started off with cards and a present from Michael and the girls. I did the layout on the cover of the current Simple Scrapbooks and my so very thoughtful husband framed it for me. Tonight he hung it in my scrap room. I love it. It's not something I ever would have done. I love that he really thought of me. That he picked out something meaningful. That he got a gift that reflects on something -scrapbooking - so very important to me. That he knows me. I love him.

After church, Michael's parents and my mom came over and we went out for a late lunch. My sister sent a gift with my mom, a sort of charm bracelet. It's made of 4 tiny picture frames, if that makes sence. I printed out the pictures tonight and once I get them in I'll take a picture of it. I'll take a picture of the frame too.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from today.

Tomorrow (or, knowing me, Tuesday) I will post some of the humorous attempts at getting the above pictures. No surprise here, they all contain Emma making funny faces or throwing herself around. :)

Turning Blond

We've been noticing lately how blond Mackenzie's hair is. Obviously, I knew it was a lot darker when she was born but it wasn't until I pulled up this picture:


That I realized just how dark it was. That picture was from December 14th, she was about 6 weeks. This picture:


Is from Wednesday. So much lighter! Lighter than Emma's ever was. Maybe they won't look so much alike after all. :)

PS, Thanks to those who commented on my Ten on Tuesday post. Thanks to you, I don't feel like a complete idiot for asking people to leave a comment. I thought for sure I'd ask, no one would respond and I'd look stupid. That being said, I know there are a lot more of you out there who read this! For example, I wonder who's in < insert Australia, Iowa, Delaware, Connecticut and a number of other places here> and do I know you? How'd you find my blog? Do we have mutual friends? It intrigues me. Seriously, it does. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Ten on Tuesday

1. We're getting Papa Johns Pizza Thursday for dinner. Why? Because a large 1-topping is only 23 cents! Thank you
Papa Johns for making fun of LeBron.

2. Abby is back from Uganda. Marty, Abby and Claire came over Saturday night and we got to see lots of pictures of cute little Malachi.

3. We made progress with Mackenzie on the whole sleeping through the night thing. Thursday night, I didn't feed her. She fussed on and off for 20 minutes and I gave her the binky twice but she went back to sleep. That was what happened the next few nights, with her crying for 10-15 minutes each night but going back to sleep. Until last night. She was up at 1:30, 3, 3:30, 4:30 and 4:45. That's when I broke down and fed her. Hopefully tonight goes better.

4. Happy belated National Scrapbook Day. I didn't scrap much but I did buy 92 pieces of Bazzill. They were 4/1.00 at my lss. This made me extra happy since I scrap 8.5x11 and have to buy 12x12 and cut it down. Paying .25 cents a sheet makes me feel a bit better about wasting so much cardstock. I think I'm good for a while now.

5. Have you guys tried Stumble Upon. One of the coolest sites ever. Basically what it does is finds sites that interest you that you might never find yourself. You select your interests, download the toolbar and then start exploring. It's so fun. If anyone wants to try it, my username is esweeney. You can see what your friends like, recommend sites, rate them, etc. It's addicting. Some of the things I've seen so far: a dollar bill folded into a shirt, a sandstorm in Iraq,and a google-ish site for the Bible. Plus...

6. Bembo's Zoo It creates animals out the letters in its name. Tomorrow I'm going to bring Emma down so we can play. You have to try it out. It's amazing.

7. Gave Mackenzie Zwieback toast for the first time yesterday. She definitely liked it.

8. Found her turned around in her crib after her nap today.


9. For those who took the poll in yesterday's post, Mackenzie is on the left, Emma is on the right. Almost everyone got it right. I know they're not exactly alike, but it amazes me how similar they look. I wish I could put my finger on what it is that's different. But I can't. If anyone knows, please share.

10. I'd love for those of you who read but don't post comments to leave one here. I know you're out there! (See, you voted in the poll so now I know you exsist.) I'd really love to know who you are and check out your blogs if you have one. So, please, please, please leave a comment! Not to leave out those that do usually leave comments - please leave a comment, too. :)


Happy Tuesday!

Who's who?

Can you tell? One of these was taken Thursday and the other back in August 2006.


Cast your vote:

Half a year already

Mackenzie is 6 months old today! She had her check-up this morning and she's 15lbs, 9 oz and 25 1/4 inches long. She's grown about 3 pounds and 1 1/2 inches since her 4 month check-up. She's on a pretty good schedule, now. Sleeping 12 hours at night, usually going down without a fuss, eating 4 times a day and napping twice a day. The only negative is she's still waking up to eat at least once in the night, usually between 1 and 2 am. Her pediatrician said today I really need to break that habit, since she doesn't need to eat at night. Eastier said than down when breaking said habit requires letting her cry herself back to sleep and Emma's room is right next door. We're going to try tonight, though.

She doesn't have any teeth yet, but with the way she's drooling and chewing on things, they've got to be coming soon! She's getting closer to sitting up, can roll both ways and still loves her feet. She likes to be in her exersaucer and we just tried the jumper the other day. Once she figured out what to do she loved it.

Took some pictures today. Although she wouldn't smile for any of them. Could be those 3 shots she got today - they made her a tad fussy.

(The pictures that were here will be back in a few days.)