Party Kingdom Open Play!!!

Kelly has now made the last week of August Stroller Strides official End Of Summer Fun Week! Today's activity was at the local jump house called Party Kingdom. We've been to several parties there and even had Brixie Lee's 2nd Birthday party there. She's just now starting to really enjoy herself in the jump house. Today she got a little crazy (yes, this is crazy for my shy, calm girl) and decided to kick it up a notch ;)

We started off with the normal, calm bouncing on the race horse (poor horse)...
Then when I had my back turned... she decided to climb a little wall... not such a big deal...
Then she climbed to the top of a rather big ladder... I thought I might have to help her down, but...
Nope! She flew down the slide like a pro! In fact, she did this about 20 times!

These pictures are pretty bad (except for the first one, thank you Kim!) because all I had on me was my phone. Next time I'll try to get some better shots. You can't see it here, but she smiles from ear to ear when she's going down the slide. You make me so happy Brixie Lee! Mommy loves you very, very much!

My Baby Is 2-1/2 Years Old...

On Brixie Lee's 2-1/2 Birthday (July 11th) we went to Wahoo's and Yogurtland to celebrate. She LOVES it there!

First she relaxed on her bench...


Then she gave her sister some love...


Then she wanted to dunk Helene in the water...


Then she stuck her head in the fountain...


And finally we went home with totally happy, totally wet 2-1/2 year old...


Where does the time go????

If you want to see all the pictures from this day you can check them out on Don's Gallery.

Hugs!

It's All About Eating...

Around here we do A LOT of eating!

Helene now knows exactly what she needs to do to get some grub...



And Brixie Lee was very excited to get her first lollipop at Gavin's birthday party...

Estep Driving School

Thank you so much cousin Tommy for giving Brixie Lee her first driving lesson on your Jeep. You're a great teacher!

Mini-Movie Stars...

For playgroup last week me made a movie staring some of our favorite kiddos! Gotta love it!

Helene 4 Month Update...

Doc Appt 5/28: Weight 14.4 Height 23.75 HC 15.75

Helene Update

I know it's been a LONG time, but there is a good reason that I'll get into later.

Helene had her 2 month check-up with Dr. Warren today and he said she's perfect! We knew that! She's 10 lbs 13 ozs and 22.5 inches long; 50th percentile for both. I believe that's exactly the same as Brixie Lee was at this point. She's sleeping much better now that we're back to Stroller Strides! Love it! Tonight may not be good because she got her shots today and we didn't go to Stroller Strides. We'll see!

Brixie Lee is even more loving to Helene now. She always wants to lay down with her and give her love. If Helene starts crying, Brixie Lee runs over there and starts singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. My big girl is such a sweetie!

Now, for why we have not be posting any updates and pictures. We've decided to sell our condo and get a new/bigger home. It's a crazy process, but needs to happen. The stairway leading to our condo is just to dangerous for me and girls to go up and down several times a day. We'll keep you posted on the sale, but for now we don't have a computer.

Take care everyone!

For Goma!

Sorry we're so late Goma! Your girls made you some Birthday cookies, but we'll have to make you more because we've almost eaten then all!

Here is your Birthday song!


And here is your Birthday dance!

Helene Marie Update...

Helene Marie is now 2 weeks old. We broke out the baby scale for the first time this morning and she's exactly 1 lb over her birth weight (she's 7 lbs 4oz). She's a great eater (just like her big sister) and starting to be a better sleeper (just like her big sister). We're hoping to take her announcement photos this weekend, so hang in there!

Her first week was spent going to the doctors office everyday, followed by a trip to the lab to get her jaundice levels checked. It was a bit extreme in my opinion, but her doctor wanted to keep a very close eye on her. She's perfectly-perfect now and starting to adjust to life outside the womb.

In fact, I think she's adjusting faster than we are. Going from 1 child to 2 children has been more difficult than we imagined. With Brixie Lee, it took me a couple of months to accept that going anywhere with a kid takes 3 times longer than going it alone. Now I'm starting to accept that it's going to take 10 time longer with 2 kids than with 1. I think that's one of the hardest things for me because I'm a go-go-go kinda girl.

Today Don took his girls shopping and we made it out the door by 9:30am! We started getting ready at 6:30am. And to think, Jerry used to say it was ridiculous when it took me and hour and a half to get just myself ready for high school. This morning all I got to do to myself was brush my teeth, pull my hair back and get dressed! Actually... that's all I do most days!

If you want to see all the pics from Helene's 2 Week photo shoot, check out Don's Gallery.

Brixie Lee Update...

Today Brixie Lee had her 2 year appointment with Dr. Warren and he was extremely pleased with her growth and development. She came in at 29 lbs (75th percentile) and 34 inches (50th percentile). He asked if she could string at least 2 words together. We smiled at each other and said yes. She blew us away back in November when her and I were in Bakersfield. I was talking to Don on the phone (he was here in Chino Hills) and she said, "Goma and Papaw live far, far away from Mommy and Daddy." That would be 11 words! The girl talks my ear off EVERYDAY! She also has numerous songs memorized and loves to sing them to me all day long.

She can count up to 20 and down from 10 (I think that came from Stroller Strides because we count down all the time). She knows all her letters, except lower case b, d, and p get a little mixed up. For her birthday the Rimer Gang gave her the Leap Frog alphabet DVD, so now she knows what sound each letter makes. That is an awesome DVD! Thank you Rimers!

So far she has been a great big sister to Helene. She loves to hold her (for 2 seconds max) and gives her lots of kisses on her head and toes. She even shares her toys, but that may change once Helene can actually play with them. The only negative action toward Helene was actually done in her room when we were not there. We have a video monitor in her room and it was on while she was playing with her doll house. There is a "baby" in the doll house and she was holding it saying, "Baaaaby Siiiiister." Then she would throw it across the room. That went on and on for about 5 minutes. I don't think I'll be having her babysit anytime soon :-)

Our baby girl is growing up so fast. She makes us so incredibly happy and we are so proud of her. We love you Brixie Lee!