Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Catching Up!

The past two weeks I've mostly been out of commission after my surgery, but I'll start catching up! Andy has been on bath time duty and this picture doesn't even begin to clue you in to the chaos that preceded it. Kelli isn't a "fan" of baths, which is weird because she loves the pool and splash fountains etc. But she will scream bloody murder (literally) like you just cut her arm off, during a bath. Andy got a taste of what I go through, especially during his 5 weeks of travel while I'm alone with the kids. I admit... I was laying in bed listening to this war going on in the bathroom, sort of smirking. Not that he never gave me props before, because he always does. But I think now he reeeeeeeally gets it. (the noise, the physical labor, every detail behind each decision, the cleaning, doing 10 things at once, the NOISE). Anyway... it was suddenly quiet and I cam to check it out and Kelli was all snuggled up watching toons with him. It was cute.

Kelli enjoyed having macaroni for 2 weeks!!!

And p&j

Once I began getting out of the house, I walked them up to the pool. We only live 2 houses away from our community center/pool so it wasn't too bad. I do have to chase after Kelli a lot though because she isn't afraid of anything there!

Syd always has a blast too!

Doesn't she look so brilliant!??


We always have time to pick our nose in the middle of a good time. That's our family motto (with my two kids; apparently)

She is squealing and giggling and having a great time!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I have not been keeping up...

This picture was taken 2 weeks ago when Andy and I went on a triple date to Mandola Winery with some friends. From left: me, Amanda, and Mandy. Not pictured: their husbands Joel and Allan and Andy. We had a good time at the tasting and then at a full course italian dinner. This place is about 10 miles from our house and is owned by the guys who started Carraba's. It's a beautiful estate and though Andy and I aren't super impressed with the food, we love the wines there and the scenery. Below is what I found after I got out of the check-out line at Walmart, when buying a ton of organizational/storage stuff for the house. Sydney wanted to go "play with MeMaw", so I went to find them and apparently there is like a mini Chuck E Cheese inside of Walmart too? What don't they have?


I know I haven't been keeping up on the blog lately. A lot has been going on here and we've been a busy family. On top of that, I've been out of commission since the "big surgery"... you heard that. Well here's the news: I went ahead and corrected the problem in which was a result of my body betraying me for doing nothing but a wonderful thing: breastfeeding! I never thought I'd do this! Never in a million years!!! But after 14 months of breastfeeding Sydney, I noticed a huge change in my "top parts" and felt so betrayed my body. Andy talked me out of it 5 years ago. But after I breastfed Kelli, it was even worse than the first time. I thought I'd wait a while to see how I rebounded but I didn't. It was a matter of not even being able to wear a real bra; just sports bras. And that effected so much of what kinds of clothes and dresses I could wear. After a lot of research and soul searching, I decided to go through with it. I picked a plastic surgeon here in Austin that I felt comfortable with, took one of my old bras in and said "fill her up!". I actually couldn't believe it when I put it on, because it had been so long since I'd worn a real bra, especially that size. Even a 32B seemed SO big to me!

The surgery went well and recovery is slow and painful, much more than I thought it'd be. But I am excited to wear certain fashions and tops and dresses again and feel "feminine"! This will make such a huge difference.

I haven't been able to hold or pick up Kelli in almost two weeks, which is SO difficult. She is so adorable, and cute and sweet... if you just knew! It is soooooo hard not to hold and snuggle that child! So naturally, I havent been out of the house much either. I can't lift, bend, reach etc. Been sort of tucked away in bed and recovering, just eager to get out! Went to the mailbox today (woohoo!) and for the first time I put on a bra and a top... and I just felt like everyone was staring at me. This is all so new to me. It's been years since I've had a chest, so I'm going to have to get used to this. They are not big, by any means. But when I woke up from surgery, Andy asked how I felt and I said "I need to pump!!".

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

"I am One Year Many!"


We went to my "little" cousin Trinity's high school graduation party on Saturday. Kelli kept busy by unpacking my purse (as usual). You have to hide anything that can be unpacked around her! She is fricken nosey.


... and she doesn't play with any of it. Just rips it all out, throws it over her shoulder. Might find something she's never seen before, give it an inquisitive look, then move on until the entire floor is covered in nonsense and crazy.

This was Kelli's 1st birthday present (and really, her only present). It's something I always wanted to get Sydney, but we had a lot less money back in the day... so I was happy to get this one big ticket item for her. She won the big end of the stick on this one because she has everything else, thanks to Sydney's hand-me-downs!

This is her "hello! who's there?" pretending to be on the phone... not yet seperating the door greeting and phone greetings. I think that makes it cuter.

We had her actual birthday party on Sunday and some neighbors, family etc came over. Sydney and Julia got festive with the hats.. then planted themselves on the floor watching tv until someone said "cake..."

She had noooooo idea what was going on here.

She is like "what is the big friggen deal people?"

Finally, she just joined in with everyone and began clapping, too.

She doesn't really like cake, but she loves ice cream. So I got an ice cream cake... she was diggin' it after a little while.


Jonna, her rockstar, amazing, awesome babysitter (not taking anything away from Grandma) helped feed her the first honorary spoonfuls while I snapped pictures.



There we go.

If we didn't get Kelli anything for her birthday, she would have been just as happy with these balloons. Balloons are probably her 2nd favorite thing on this planet, next to her sister.

Monday we took Mona to the famous Buda Soda Fountain for ... you guessed it... more ice cream. Going to be in a sufar coma this week.

Kelli doesn't like to be held or sit much now. (nor does she like shoes or socks, so this poses a problem sometimes)

After a couple bites of ice cream, Kelli became very affectionate on her sister. (which is rare. she loooooves Sydney, but she is not an cuddly or affectionate baby)


Later at home we finally opened her presents from friends and family.

I take that back. Her most favorite thing on this planet.
Binkies.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Kelli Turns 1


I took her to the mall and we played with the fishies forrrrreverrrrrrr. We loved this one. He kept blowing us kisses.

She was squealing and having the best time. I think it's time to take her to the aquarium. (wherever that is)


Matching outfits time!






she is full-on walking now!!! just in time to be one!

May June Birthdays

Andy was out of town, but I still managed to get the grill on and get some burgers going for the siblings and Dad to celebrate Dad & Jenny's birthday!! (okay, I cleaned the grill and turned it on. Chris grilled the burgers.) Baby steps.

"Cake Boss" had to be in the middle of the action again.


On Kelli's birthday we went to run errands and got her some balloons. She is a bit peeved I hit the deli counter first.

Trouble.

Beatin' the Heat

If you can't beat it, join it. It's been hot here (upper 90's) but the kids, especially Kelli, LOVE being outside. Andy has been traveling for 4 weeks now, so keeping them occupied is KEY.

Syd on her new Princess bike. Gonna have those wheels off before she turns 5, I've decided. And hopefully she will know how to propel herself on the swings, too!

Sydney tries so hard, but Kelli just isn't into it.

She has to do everything HERSELF

They did go and make "a cake" together. Kelli had no problem eating it.

Doesn't taste too good, does it!!


My 4yo is so full of life, zest, energy and happiness. I love it.

This is Kelli's signal for wanting to be picked up. We didn't teach her that, so I don't now how this came about, but I've learned that's what she wants when she flicks her ear and grunts.

My new patio!!! Yay!!


Computer/quiet time.

my "I'm sorry I've been traveling for a month now and leaving you alone with the kids" flowers.