Thanksgiving 2009

Wow. Thanksgiving this year was fast and furious. But, better than any other year Ever. I have 2 (count them two) beautiful, healthy girls. One, handsome awesome husband that lets me eat as much pie without ever questioning my motive.

Depite all the germs causing a nasty cold to my lil Leah. And eating too much. It was good. A highlight was Black Friday shopping with Jessie. We were gonna attempt midnight madness in Edinburgh, but lil Koen got sick so we settled for a quick am trip to Evansville. It was successful. Other than asking someone if she was pregnant when she wasn't. Ick. However, I got lots of stuff for Christmas and a couple things for myself.

Hope everyone else had a productive and wonderful holiday weekend.

Almost crawling all weekend! Today she started inchworming forward! Go Leah!

I have so much to update on that... honestly I forgot most of it. So you'll have to settle for some pictures instead. Probably more exciting?

The Showdown. Parker and Ayla on their trikes at Mimi & Papaws house. He looks like he is gonna ram her! Notice the sippy in her little basket. Just in case she gets parched.

Ayla and I put her very own tree on Saturday. She thought it was so cool. We had a talk about not disrupting the tree. And why we celebrate Christmas. I think she understands on her level. She keeps asking if its Jesus' birthday yet. So we're getting closer.

Ayla found some old stocking in the bins from my Christmas decorations. I guess she thought they were "real" stockings? ha

The Big Show

Phew. Im tired. We rolled in last night around 1:30 am. But, it was well worth it just to see these girls glow. Jamfest was great. Unfortunately we were the last to perfrom so we didn't get to see anyone dance. Which is sometimes my fave part. One of my highlights was watching the minis practice. This age group is 5ish... Im guessing. But, hardcore 5ish year old dancers. I wish I could have grabbed my camera bc these kiddos wore afros. ha. Strangely cute!

My goofy group won first place. Out of one. ha Wish there were others in our category. But, that's just how it goes. However, our score got us a bid to 2 National competitions which we're wading through to decide what is best for us! Cool, right?

I love these girls. Not a whole lot more to say.

Blindfold section. Need to work to keep them on better. hahaa :)

Honk if you can't wait for dance season.... HONK

Anticipation

Anticipation is blinding. If I could sleep I would. But, its not really the anticipation keeping me from hitting the hay. Its my children. Sigh.

Tomorrow is my first dance competition of the year. Jamfest is a huge cheer & dance organization that gives great stage experience to dancers! We love it. Its kinda like our big welcome into the new season. I am so ready for tomorrow to get here. Ready to see the girls all in costume, holding my breath that everything goes off without a hitch- or at least not a big hitch?, and praying my kids aren't getting sick.

See last year Ayla was unable to attend any of our show due to being sick. Every time. ha. Tonight she's been complaining of her head hurting and her ear and her cheek ha She didn't nap today so Im trying to shrug it off as much. However 2 hrs now of trying to coax her to sleep and she isn't having it. She'll sleep for a short amt of time and wake. I think she may be out now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Leah is just getting over some allergy mayheim. Jeff is currently asleep "rocking" her. Ha. How will my children ever learn to sleep on their own? Oh well. Life is what it is. And we do love it.

You just gotta laugh.

But, good ole' anticipation is here. Pressure is on. Me and anticipation have a love hate relationship. See, if I didn't like it I couldn't coach a competition squad. However, my stomach ties up in knots. I do most, if not, all of our choreography & technique. So, ultimately if they don't look great its 50% my fault. I have some of the cutest girls this year. Very funny personalities! Can't wait to show you pics :) See, I made a school theme including handmade school uniforms, nerd hats, glasses, suspenders, the works.... Its fantastic.

Anyways, wish us luck.

Who needs a playpen?

I took these a week or so ago. If you look close Ayla still has on her hospital bracelet on. She didn't want to take it off for a long time!

Really.
Who needs a playpen?




Or a teether for that matter?

Leah Hope: 7 months

Leah is 7 months today? What... how did that happen? This month is flying by and with it bringing the holidays closer, faster. I love the holidays.

7 months is a fun, fun age! Leah is personality overload.

Leah is 15 lbs 7oz. Still wearing 6 month clothes- almost ready for 6-9mo. And size 3 diapers.

Leah is....

Pulling up on her knees and rocking back & forth.

Loves to eat. Very interested in table food. I will soon be introducing finger foods. Eats 1/2 jar of cereal & fruit in morning and again at night. Also one jar of veg at night. Munches on snacks during day like Baby Mummums, crackers, freeze dried apples (they are soft).

Has 2 teeth, but drooling and chewing on everything in site! I think more are on the way...

So very photogenic. Puts on the extra cheese when neccessary :)

Plays with toys well. Can entertain herself well. Loves to explore new things.

Loves watching big kids play! She squeals with delight when watching friends at playgroup, Ayla, or my nephews being silly.

Still a Mama's girl.

Signs consistantly for "milk" and sometimes for "eat". Currently working on "more".

PS. I am currently obsessed with taking holiday themed pics of my girls. But don't have time to edit them. Oh well. Hopefully I will eventually find a card worthy pic of I won't be sending Christmas cards out!

Surprise

Today I had around 50 people in my house, a near anxiety attack, and pulled off a HUGE surprise party for my father in law Mike. It was great! He was so surprised. Didn't catch on at all.

We had guests from all over Indiana, as well as Alabama Ohio,and Kentucky! I know he will never forget this. Very cool.

Hope you had a great 60th Birthday, Mike!!

So Surprised!

Meeting new cousin Drake. He is just 2 1/2 wks older than Leah.

Mike and all his siblings minus Ross. Yes, there were 8 kids in his family. How cool is that?

Ridgers came to visit again!

My sweet Ayla with her allergy nose. I love fall! :)

Aunt Julie was a Huge help this weekend. My party planner in crime.

And now that my choas is over I will definitely update you with all the finished projects in our home! :)

Slow Down

We have been a little too busy around our house. Too rushed, preoccupied, project oriented.... busy. Soon I will unfold the main reason why we have been caught up in all things home related. But, until then I just want you to know, I am SO ready to slow down.

I have had many times in my life felt that certain situations were prompts for me to stop and reconnect. These times remind me of what is most important. My relationship with my Heavenly Father and my family.

Wednesday night started normal for us. Dance practice, quick dinner, home projects, etc. Bedtime however is a constant in our house. We have our routine for both of our girls and it is probably the best family time we get. Once bedtime rolled around we dropped our stuff and went up. Unfortunately the 'hurriedness' was still there. Daddy miss-stepped and crashed into the exersaucer with Leah in hand. Leah slid out of his arms and went head first into the window molding and drywall. It was awful.

So awful.

Through her cries I tried to examine her as a nurse and not as a Mommy. She had a large abrasion on her head, but not open. Her limbs were limp and her cries were quieting. A couple points in time I watched her little eyes rolls back as if she was about to lose consciousness. OH MY. I scooped her back up and off we sped to the ER. Jeff was crushed. I almost think it hurt him more than it did her. I stayed in the back to keep her awake in the car. We got her in quickly and every minute we were there she was acting better.

Thank you Lord!

By the time we saw the ER doc she was great, just hungry. He was impressed by her signing for milk at her age. That's my girl. One CT scan later and we were out with one healthy baby, 2 scared parents, and a major need for slowing down.