This video is why I got pregnant with Hailey. I had come home after a night out with my girlfriends and my husband had put together this little video from when I delivered Ella. It was supposed to be of Ella's entire first year, but this is how far he made it. I watched it and cried. The song playing...Cannonball...was the song we listened to on each of our 3 trips to the hospital (2 false alarms and 1 induction). After watching that video I knew I wanted another baby. I thought we would try in a couple months but the very next month (thanks to a bit of Merlot) we were pregnant once again. It is funny though...the video does not have the same effect on me anymore...thank God or I would probably have 5 more kids by now!

12th Man

Even though the Seattle Seahawks did not make it to the Superbowl this year...we are still huge fans in this household. My husband never missed a game and even traveled to Seattle to catch a few live. Every Sunday he and the girls would make a big deal about taking out the 12th man flag, unrolling it and placing it outside the house. It was their little ritual. I found these little Seahawks cheerleader outfits on sale at Target last week and I could not resist. I tried to buy them in big enough sizes so they could wear them next year during the season. I hope it works out. They look so adorable in them!

Bye Bye Bottles

At Christmas time, Ella was still taking a bottle for her nap and bedtime. She is 2 1/2 and I thought it was probably time to say goodbye to the bottles. A friend of mine from preschool gave me the idea to leave them out for Santa in exchange for presents. We spent the two weeks leading up to Christmas talking about what we were going to do, and told her that Santa was going to take her "babas" and leave her toys; and Santa would then bring the bottles to baby Chase (the 6 month old baby of a friend of mine). So, when Christmas eve came, she helped us put all the bottles in a bag and left them next to the cookie for Santa. The next day all her bottles were gone and she had a ton of toys. The first couple of days were a bit rough. She would cry at bedtime for a bottle and say "I a baby, I need a baba". But we would just remind her how Santa took them to give to baby Chase. She seemed to be okay with it. Even now, occasionally she will say things like "baby Chase has my babas".

I have heard of similar tactics used for getting rid of binkys, such as leaving them for the binky fairy, or exchanging them for a new toy/bike. Thankfully we didn't have the binky to deal with, but the bottles were just as bad. The Santa thing worked well for us...I just hope it doesn't make her have a lifelong hatred of Santa!

I'm Back

Hi all,

Trying to get back into blogging. A lot has gone on in the last few months...keeping me away from the computer...but I am getting back!

Here are my updates:

1. Hailey is now 15 months old, and feisty as hell. She is a chubby little thing still, only has 4 teeth (with a huge gap between the front two...which is so endearing), runs all over after her sister, says a ton of words (if you are listening) and FINALLY is sleeping through the night! (well, at least until 4:30 am). She is BEAUTIFUL. She is an old soul. Her entire face lights up when she smiles. She is my baby.

2. Ella is now 2 1/2 years...almost 3. She is our little dare devil. I really think she is part boy. She jumps off of everything in the house, and then ends it in a flip. I should probably get her into some sort of gymnastics class. She is also BEAUTIFUL. With a head full of golden curls. She goes to preschool one day a week, and loves the art table the best. In fact, she stalks the art table waiting for someone to leave so she can jump in. She is currently really into Dora the Explorer, and playing tea parties with her little sister.

3. I have been off of work for about 6 months now and am feeling ready to go back. I have been dealing with some back issues, and think I am finally to the point where they are worked out. I am also finally getting some rest due to Hailey sleeping through the night, so that helps everything in general. I will probably go back to the NICU, but am thinking about splitting my time between the NICU and the birthcenter. You see, I have a undercover desire to be a lactation nurse, and in order to take that certification you have to have a certain number of hours working with breastfeeding moms (and no, your own breast feeding does not count or I would already be there...for sure...Hailey still hasn't totally given it up). We do work with breastfeeding in the NICU, but not as much as in the birthcenter with all the big healthy babes.

I have also gotten into making jewelery thanks to the teaching of my sister in law Melissa. It is a great hobby, and a great thing to give as gifts. I can become a bit obsessed and sometimes once I start, I can't stop!

4. Grant just finished a year working for Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and is going back to Bechtal starting this Monday. He liked his job at Battelle, but is also excited to get back to Bechtal. His newest toy is his new I-phone from apple. And yes, I am majorly jealous. I want one too!! It is very cool. He also got guitar hero for his Nintendo Wii for Christmas and enjoys that as well. He is very much in love with his girls, and spends all of his free time with them (and me). I am pretty sure he has succumb to the fact that he is going to be surrounded by girls :)

As I am writing this I am listening to a new (to me at least) artist named Tony Lucca. If you all have I-tunes...look him up. I am in love with the song called "Feels like love".

Well, that pretty much sums things up for now. I will post some photos taken by my very good friend and photographer, Tera. Her web site is http://www.photographybytera.com/ ...check it out. She took these family shots last fall and they are the ones I used on my Christmas cards. As soon as I figure out how to post video, I will post some of the clips from our Christmas...which was a blast.

Hope everyone is doing well....and Happy New Year!