Phab Photo Phriday

There's No Denying Your DNA

Yesterday, we were driving in the van and I was handing snack-size cookies back to Eden by twos and having her pass one to Elly who sits too far for me to reach. I casually glanced into the rear view mirror in time to see Eden (on more than one occasion) take the cookies, check to see which one has more chocolate, and then hand the other one to Elly. How do I know she was checking for more chocolate? Well, let's just say it is hardwired into her maternal genetics.

ABQ.2

More from Albuquerque:

This is when Kim finally realized it was me...it took her a second. I think she thought she was losing her mind. Zach and I were in cahoots - Kim had no idea I was coming! She was shocked. She had no suspicions whatsoever.

Together again! Kim and I were in college together (me undergrad and she in PA school), she was my Bible study leader, we were pregnant with Eden and Taylor only 5-6 weeks apart, and our hubbys were in the same band and worked together. We traveled together with the band and shared LOTS of experiences...parenting, painting, and prayer!! I miss it!

Zach, maybe wondering if inviting all these girls to his house was a bad idea?

My precious Taylor! He was Eden's best little friend and I babysat him, so he is very special to me! I don't have pics of Autumn and Emery, but they are SO precious as well. Check them out here.

How We Spent the Tornado Warning

Eden took this action shot of Elly and me. She's quite a photog!

Marcus and me whiling away the tornado warning...

A Girl and Her Nuh Nuh

Eden's special lovey is her blanket, Nuh Nuh. She likes to click her tongue while she holds it. Notice the funny way she holds her mouth--too bad you can't hear the "nuh nuh" noise she makes while lovin' on it!

Mirror, Mirror

Marcus kissing himself in the mirror!

Nice smudges!

What a sweet-faced boy!

Edee-tainment

Fun with Momma's exercise ball...

...at least someone is getting some use out of it...



falling off the exercise ball...

Edenisms, Part 17

Recently Eden has been using the phrase "Child Development" which is hilarious.

She also just told me she is going on an airplane to visit her old friend Chicago Liver who lives in Albuquerque, the same as her old friend Taylor.

Cold, Hard Reality.

Well, I am officially back from my childless getaway to the beautiful Southwest. And, oh, what a homecoming. Eden refused to acknowledge me for the first 30 minutes after I saw her. Elly has had the worst behavior of her short life to date, and to literally "top" it all off, Elly didn't get to the potty in time today and while I was pulling down her pants, I stuck my hand in it.

All that aside though I am glad to be home. I do love my kids even when they ignore, disobey and poo on me. They keep me humble.

We had a little snow yesterday which was another reality check, but that didn't stop me from wearing my sandals today! I can't stop wearing sandals!

Adoption Update

For those of you who don't regularly read our other blog, Waiting for You, we have some great news! Click over to read it~ and scroll down to "Good News."

Photo PH-Tuesday

Since I was out of town Friday, I thought I had better post my photo today! I think that is chocolate all over her face, but I really don't know.

F-U-N in ABQ

I just got back from a VERY fun and relaxing weekend in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico!! My good friend, Zach, and I conspired to surprise his dear wife, Kim, my BFF from college days and beyond...it was awesome. She was surprised...or should I say, in shock...we needed a defibrillator for a second. Her face was priceless. I wish I could have gotten it on video.

Our mutual friend, Emily, was also there (though Kim knew she was coming). We had SO much fun together. Thanks, Z, for allowing all the squeals and Sonic runs. I love you guys! The pictures are mostly just us goofing around in the car going to and from Ross and Sonic (our faves). The last picture represents our very differing abilities to consume caffeinated beverages.

Unfortunately while I was gone, Dan took Eden to the doctor for her poison ivy and serendipitously found out she had Influenza. She was past the point she could get Tamiflu and she did actually start to feel better the next day-- though the poison ivy still bothers her quite a bit. Poor girl. That's about as rough as she's had it (and Daddy too!)

Kindergarten Round Up!

Yee haw! Round up yer kindygardners!

We nearly missed our first official "kindergarten" experience, as we had had a long playdate this morning and by the time they left, I just wanted to sit with Eden and read/snuggle. It is a rainy, icky day outside and I had no intention of stepping foot outside in the puddles. But then, as I was on the phone with the dr.'s office (Eden has poison ivy...again) I looked at the clock and it hit me--TODAY at 2:30pm! Uh-oh! Luckily just then, Elly stumbled out of her room from her nap and Eden was excited enough to get ready in a jif. So we headed out and weren't even late. The kindergarteners-to-be got to go into their classrooms and have fun while we adults and unfortunate siblings had to sit through an obnoxious lecture. I am all for school (I'm a teacher for pete's sake) but this was a bit much. I wanted to see their classroom, ask questions, get a feel for their day. Maybe that will come later at the fall orientation/social. Perhaps, just perhaps, my mood could have been tainted by the fact that Elly kept squirming away and rolling around on the dirty floor of the cafeteria, humming loudly while the speaker spoke, and generally annoying all around her. Perhaps. I was up and down, in and out, walking, rocking, back-scratching, and handing out mints to keep her in arms reach. I was physically exhausted when we got home from trying to keep my cool! Eden came back to us after the hour and half was over and said she had a good time. I had given her Benadryl before we left (because I had forgotten about Round Up) and she could hardly keep her eyelids open--poor girl. She said when we got home, "I want to go to Kindergarten TOMORROW!" What a precious girl. I'm gonna bawl when she goes to school!!

I'm Gonna Need Like 50 Bucks and a Day to Myself.

I think Elly is teething again (she's still working on her two year molars) and she is a BEAR when she teethes. Yesterday we were with friends nearly the entire day so her misbehavior definitely started to wear on me. When we arrived home, Dan met us at the door. I said, "I'm gonna need a break from kids." As Eden passed me, I specified: "Not because of that one..." and I pointed to Elly (out of earshot and still in her carseat) "because of that one." As Dan and I looked at her, she grinned from ear to ear, gave us the thumbs up sign with both hands, and nodded her head in apparent agreement with me :)

Baby Cheapskate

I thought some of my mommy friends might be interested in knowing where to find replacement parts for their sippy cups and the like...BabyCheapskate.com (which is a cool site anyway) had this handy list in a recent post. The site is pretty cool because it features online deals going on each week and also tells you the best places to buy diapers and formula for that week. I've seen some awesome one-day only stroller sales, shoe clearances, etc. at big name online stores that I normally can't afford!