From The Mouth Of Babes.

This week was full of funny and sometimes uncomfortable words spewing from my girls' mouths. I figured I should probably document them and you all might appreciate a laugh on this blustery Monday.

First:
Let me preface this by letting you know we went to Cafe Rio two weeks ago and had a free meal.

I took the kids to McDonalds on Thursday for my daily Diet Coke.
Nora: (to the guy at the drive up with long hair) "MOM is that a boy or a girl?!"
Me: Awkwardly smile at the nice boy.
Stella: "MOM don't pay. FREE MEAL!"
Stella and Nora in unison: chanting "FREE MEAL, FREE MEAL, FREE MEAL!
Me: Hurriedly handed the poor boy my $1.08 and drove off as red as a beet.


Second:
Sweet Mabel learned some new words this week.
"NO!", "Mine", and "That's Gross"
I guess I can't prevent the fact that she will learn from her sisters earlier than each previous kid.


Third:
While at Target Nora and Stella were trying to convince Aaron to buy them a Lego Star Wars set. He told them maybe. I don't know if it was to annoy him or try to persuade him but they both started marching down the aisle holding the set and chanting in unison "Slave Leia!, Slave Leia!, Slave Leia!"
....they got the Lego set.

There's A First Time For Everything.

Today marked the first time any of my children got a stitches worthy wound.

My girls are really into Mulan lately. While I was finishing up dinner they requested some music from Mulan to dance to. I happily obliged because it meant three distracted kiddos and dinner on the table when Daddy got home. Well Daddy walked in, told the girls to stop twirling because someone was going to get hurt, stepped into the kitchen to say hi to me and Stella promptly twirled into the buffet splitting her head open. One trip to Instacare, two nurses holding her down, one doc, four stitches, one Happy Meal and some Hello Kitty Bandaids later we are good as new. Stella screamed the entire time they held her down and wouldn't speak to any of the nurses the entire time but as soon as they let her go she popped right up, stopped crying and waved to everyone she saw. It was sad but adorable. When we got home I decided getting stitches warranted a late bedtime. Nora suggested watching Brave because "you are brave like Merida, Stella". My heart melted.

Oh and I failed to mention that dinner got overcooked and my sweet husband and daughter still ate it. I came home and cracked open what I thought was a hard boiled egg to find that none of them were cooked. Weird. And in case you were wondering, when your little one hands you the last bite of her cheeseburger to eat and you lick the ketchup off your finger...make sure its ketchup, not blood. Happy hump day. Love you to the stars brave Suey!

October Bliss.

I was made for October. I was also born in October as well as some of my most favorite people on this planet. That crisp wonderfully smelling air is nearly impossible to beat. Oh and did I mention my favorite outfit is jeans and a t-shirt with a hoodie at the ready. Perfect October attire. This year in October we celebrate Mabel's 1st birthday, bittersweet. And Aaron's 29th, our last year before he hits the big "30" and have to pretend we are actually adults. But this October 1st marks a very special day on my calendar. Stella Sue is officially potty trained. Holla! And she did it all on her own. I am one proud Momma. Happy October 1st everyone. I hope your day has been as fabulous as mine. Here's to Stella, the feisty little firecracker who does things her way on her own time just like her stubborn Momma. And to Mabel, my sweet little Red. Happy Birthday tomorrow! Don't get too old.

Mommy Shoot.

I expected that the last post would leave you wanting more and I am happy to oblige. My friend Sam has got some serious talent. Sam is new to the biz and is wonderful! I was seriously in shock when I saw how well these turned out because I felt so frazzled the entire time.  Trying to wrangle three littles who were dying to play at the park after I forced them into an impromptu photo session was hard work. But Sam is just that good. She captures the pure beauty of daily life and I would bet that she can bring you to tears too. Check her out: Samantha Kelly Photography.  Oh and I forgot to mention she works with her sweet hubby Chas and does video too!: Kelly Arts Films.  I have big plans for a Halloween family video so stay tuned...and check these guys out. You wont be sorry.

Christmas With A Stella {Part 2}.

Yesterday my sweet Stella pulled over the Christmas tree. It broke 3 ornaments, ruined 2 gifts and soaked the carpet. The tree was not salvageable. Remind me again why I put up a tree this year?? The funny part of it all is that she pulled it over while trying to get the fat Santa ornament that sings Feliz Navidad, Aaron's favorite Christmas song. After two hours of cleaning and vacuuming endless amounts of pine needles I turned around to Stella dumping the entire bag of goldfish crackers in the fan that was drying the carpet. We may have lost our Christmas tree but inside our house it was snowing magical goldfish snow. Stella is a stinker but I can never stay mad for long because she is just. like. me. Merry Christmas sweet girl!

Christmas With A Stella.

My second daughter is a mischievous one. You know when your parent's are frustrated with you as a kid and tell you that they "hope you have one just like you". My parents got their wish. I love you to the stars sweet Stella, but please leave the tree alone. And pick up all the pretzels you just dumped on the floor. 

\

Girls, Girls, Girls.

 

Photos taken by the talented Christine Olson.

Dear Stella.

Tella Sue,
How did you get to be a year and a half?!? I was worried about bringing new baby Mabel into this family with you still seeming so young but you have grown leaps and bounds this past month. You speak a ton and love to play pretend with Nora. Today we gave up the bottles. You only cried for 5 minutes and then took a great nap (hopefully tonight goes as smoothly). You get super jealous when Nora gets to stand at the counter and help cook and you have to be stuck in a high chair, so lately we let you stand and "help" too. You no longer want lids on any sippy cups, you don't want to sit in a high chair or in the grocery cart. You are growing up so fast....and have grown a killer mullet! Here are a few of your favorite things as an 18 month old:

1. Dinosaurs
2. Airplanes
3. Pushing your bunny "Bubba" in the doll stroller
4. Duplos - Your most favorite toy. I definitely know what Santa is bringing this year!
5. Playing kitchen with sissy

Oh, and your favorite phrase (and first you ever said): "I farted."

Love you to the stars sweet girl!
Momma

From The Mouth Of Babes.

Both kinds of babes. The following are some new Nora-isms as well as a few from my babe of a husband.

(After being startled by the automatic toilet flush)
Nora: Oh Mom, that makes nervous.

(Walking in to our friends Will and Jessica's wedding reception)
Nora: Wow Dad, look at this classy sidewalk.

(Drinking a blue Slushee at Lagoon)
Nora: Brrrrrr, My brain is burning!

(Aaron and I talking about Katie's delivery of her sweet new little one)
Me: Dang, I wish I only had to push for two minutes to get a kid out.

Aaron: Maybe this time the baby will just fall out like that for you.
Me: (Rolling my eyes) 9 lb. babies don't just fall out hun.

(Nora, Aaron and Spencer playing Lego's...Nora threw the sword back into the pile)
Spencer: Nora No, where did that sword go?!?
Nora: I didn't want it.
Aaron: Where is the sword Nora!?!
Nora: I didn't want it.
Aaron: Nora we we're playing with that sword.
....the saga continued over Lego's for 2+ hours...while Nicole and I watched.
I have yet to determine who enjoyed the Lego's more, Aaron or Nora.

Oh, and Stella learned the word "mine".

 And i'm still pregnant. 7 weeks and counting!

And Lagoon was AWESOME! Just as much fun as an adult as it was as a kid. And the girl's did great. Can't wait for Disneyland. Four months and three days to go.

Dear Sweet Ones.

I am sorry I have been a cranky/short tempered/beast of a mom lately. I am sorry for all the house hopping and the lack of normalcy I have forced upon you. I am sorry that you, Sweet Stella, turned 16 months and I hardly noticed. And you, My Tootsie, have been craving my attention and I have been blind to it. I love you both to the stars and back. You are my everything. I am going to be better. I am going to take you on adventures and be the "cool mom" I vowed to be years before I had kids. We are going to go camping and swimming and stay up late all summer because all too soon the summer will be over and we will find ourselves missing the ninety-something degree heat and long days. I am excited for fall and baby Mabel, but for now she is content in her watery womb and I am going to spoil you girls rotten. Love you!! -Mom

 Preferring the dog dish to her swimming pool.

 First time at the community pool.

 Tired baby #1.

 Tired baby #2.

BBQing with Papa Doug on the deck. (Costco jammies are a wardrobe staple around here)

 Enjoying Daddy's survival hammock.

As Of Late.

 My 15 month old knows how to unlock my Iphone and play her games...technology baby.

 Stella's face of choice, the squinty.

 Trying (and failing) to get a pic of the girls in their matching outfits. But it does capture the bunnies...oh the bunnies...I wonder if Mabel will be as obsessed when she arrives??

On The Day You Were Born: Stella's Edition

First things first. As soon as I knew I was pregnant I knew I wanted a new doctor and ended up finding the best midwife ever, Gretchen Faucett CNM. best. decision. ever. I love her so much that I have referred six other friends who see her now too. March 1, 2011 - I was freaking out because I had to be induced the next day before Daddy started his new job or else he wouldn't have had time at home when we came back from the hospital. I made dinner for our BFF's Katie & Mike and I'm pretty sure I cried multiple times while eating. For some reason I felt like being induced on your due date was too early and I was in some way cheating you out of the chance to come on your own. I didn't sleep much that night and when I woke at 7 a.m. to call the hospital I couldn't go back to sleep. Unfortunatley March 2nd was a big day for babies and they were too busy to fit me in at 7 so I called back every hour until 10 a.m. when they finally gave me the go ahead to come in. By that time the anxiety was gone and I was just so excited to meet you. We dropped Tootsie off at Grandma Wagstaffs and I enjoyed a breakfast of Fresca and donuts (bad idea). We were met at the desk by super nice nurses and they admitted me right away and got things started. When I went in the nurse couldn't find your head and an ultrasound showed that you were head down but looking sideways. Funny girl. This time around it only took a level 4 on the Pit to get things moving. (Instead of level 20 with Nora). I think you really were ready to come out you just needed a little push. Once the Pit started working I was in constant pain. And when Gretchen broke my water it got even worse! With Nora I only had back labor which is supposed to be horrible, but with you I had regular front labor and it was EXCRUCIATING. I would take back labor any day of the week over stomach labor. Five hours later and after trying many techniques to curb the pain I had had enough and asked for an epidural. I was 5 cm dilated. Lucky for me the anesthesiologist wasn't busy (I actually think he was asleep) and was in my room with in five minutes. I remember, like and idiot, asking the doctor to hurry because my feet were falling asleep sitting hunched over...not realizing it was because the epidural was starting to work. Once the epidural was in the doc told the nurse that he just gave me the initial test dose and that she could push the button for a reagular dose when I needed it. That never happened. Dad fell asleep once the pain was a little better and I was hoping to rest for a bit too, but less than 30 minutes after the epidural was put in I needed to push. I woke Daddy up and rushed him out of the room to find a nurse. I thought I was crazy for feeling this so quickly but when the nurse came in to check me I had gone from 5 cm to 8 cm in less than an hour. Gretchen was called and came quickly to check on me. It still took about an hour and half to get to 9 cm, so we just hung out with Gretchen and the nurses. Meanwhile I hadn't remembered to push the epidural button and the pain was getting pretty intense again. Around 5:30ish p.m. Gretchen checked me and moved the lip of cervix that was preventing me from getting to 10 cm. (The same thing happened with Nora) Then I finally got to start pushing for real instead of just wanting to push. And I felt EVERYTHING! A lot of moans, dizzyness, pushing and pain later you were born at 6:24 p.m. It was the most empowering moment knowing that I pushed you out almost completely naturally. I am so glad I got the epidural because it helped lessen the pain of the contractions for a bit and honestly I think the labor is actually much more painful than the actually delivery. You weighed in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and were 20.5 inches. A big baby. Which resulted in a BIG tear. Recovery went smoothly though and we got to go home just 24 hours after delivery to start our life together. Love you to the stars sweet Stella!

A Party In Pictures.

Saturday we celebrated Stella and Oliver's 1st birthdays. They are six weeks apart and BFF's. I can't wait to have babies that close again. The duplex is going to be overrun with kiddos. The party was a huge success. I was very lucky to have Katie and her hubs and MIL help so much because Aaron was at school and I had spent the entire morning barfing. It was so fun to celebrate together! Here are some pics Katie took. (I forgot my camera as usual) Thanks to all the friends and family who came to celebrate.