Daddy's Home!

Yay!  Daddy's project went well so he got to be home with us all weekend.  We all thoroughly enjoyed it.  Adeline got some alone time with Daddy yesterday morning when they walked to the school and played on the playground, and I got to escape to Target by myself for a little while.  It was the first alone time I'd had in 11 days!

I took some giftcards Adeline got for Christmas and bought some potty training paraphernalia.  I got lots and lots of panties and a little potty.  I had already bought several potty training books earlier.  Adeline was very excited about all her new pretty panties.  She has also carried this potty around the house ever since randomly sitting on it fully clothed.

Yesterday evening we went our friend Kellen's 2nd birthday party at The Little Gym.

Shannon got some baby girl practice.  :)

And Annabel finally got her thumb in her mouth.

Adeline had the best time running around like crazy and of course eating cake, and Annabel loved watching all the big kids play. 

We've played with glo sticks in the bath a few times now.  Jon got this fun picture of Adeline with one in her mouth last night.

We moved Annabel's crib into the guest room yesterday, so she slept her first full night in there last night.  She had been sleeping on the Nap Nanny still.  She wasn't so sure about lying flat and woke up twice during the night, but was able to put herself back to sleep without being nursed both times.  This is how she was when I went to get her up before church this morning.  So sweet!

We all enjoyed a morning at church and I of course had to snap a few pictures of my girls all dressed up beforehand.

We all took good long naps this afternoon and Daddy did our grocery shopping for the week for us.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives!  

Adeline had her first accident tonight.  We had left her diaper off after attempting to potty for about 45 minutes when she peed her pants.  She alerted us immediately with, "Uh oh!  All wet."  We are trying to make this a very positive experience so there was no scolding.  A little while later, after I helped her get undressed and her teeth brushed before bath I told her to sit on her potty until Daddy came in to give her a bath.  As Jon was handing off Annabel, Adeline shouted for us to "wook!" and there was about a teaspoon of pee in the potty.  We of course made a big deal out of it and rewarded her with a pink starburst.  We have plans to make a "potty prize" box to keep our candy and special prizes tomorrow.  

We have had such a fun weekend, I hate to see it end...

One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days that I just had to keep praying for patience.  Like I mentioned in my last post, Adeline is cutting her two-year molars and we're going on Day #9 of Daddy working 12+ hours a day.  I'm not sure if it's the teeth or what, but not only has Adeline been unusually cranky, but she's been waking up before 7 every morning.  That makes for a long day with a cranky 2 year old!  She threw several colossal fits yesterday.

I want to re-cap the biggest one so I can one day look back and laugh (hopefully).  She's been playing really well outside in the backyard by herself lately as long as Tulip is with her.  Yesterday morning she asked to go out, so I got her all bundled up (hat, socks, shoes, coat) and I took her outside so I could clean. She threw a massive fit because I wouldn't stay outside with her and it was back and forth for 5 minutes in and out.  She wanted to be outside, but wanted me with her, but I was refusing to go.  I finally made her stay in and unbundled her.  She then lost it and begged to go back out.  I told her no and put her in time-out to calm down.  After she sobbed and nearly hyperventilated and woke Annabel up from her morning nap, I decided she probably needed some Motrin to help with the teeth.  She climbed up in her stool at the kitchen counter to wait for the medicine and began rubbing her hands all over the wet countertops that I had just cleaned with Clorox wipes.  I said, "No, don't touch that.  They're yucky and will make you sick."  She then proceeds to bend over and LICK the wet, cloroxed countertops!  So then I had to wipe her tongue with a washcloth and wash her hands which made her throw another massive fit.  I was about to start crying myself!  I did a bit of research, though, and found that she should be fine from licking the Clorox counters.

She always wants to eat whatever we're eating.  Even if she's eating something of her own.  She had just about finished all her lunch yesterday when she started begging for mine.  I told her no, not until she ate all of hers.  This is the attitude I got...  Not crying, just refusing to look at me.

I did manage to get a few pictures of my girls together in their matching shirts their Aunt Amber gave them, though.

 

And here's my sweet, almost always happy baby.  She was a bit cranky herself, yesterday though.

And she's doing so well grabbing things and getting them to her mouth!

And I do have to say, by the time dinner rolled around, Adeline was happier.  And I shouldn't complain about her being obsessed with food.  This is what my 2 year old ate last night: broccoli & chicken casserole, black beans, & SALAD!  I don't think it's anything I've done.  I was just blessed to reproduce with a Richey.  :)

We have hit the sleep-training pretty hard with Annabel this week.  She had been doing so great and sleeping until at least 5am when it was time for meds, but has lately started waking up randomly at 2 or 3.  Last night she fussed off & on from 2-4 but was able to put herself back to sleep without nursing.  I'm hoping every night gets better.  

We are all looking forward to Daddy hopefully being home with us this weekend.  Adeline doesn't quite understand why it's been so many days that Daddy hasn't been home when she wakes up in the morning.  Every day when I bring her into our bedroom she says something like, "Shh, Daddy sleeping" and I have to burst her bubble and tell her that no, Daddy is at work.  Please say a prayer that his project continues to go well and they will be DONE tomorrow.  We miss him!!

Happy New Year!

Ringing in the new year has completely changed since college, but it's so much better, if you ask me!  However, this year was a little sad because Jon has had to work ALL weekend.  He was there over 12 hours yesterday and today, so it's basically just been the girls and me celebrating.  

We did a lot of tummy time and playing on the floor.  Annabel has started grabbing things, bringing them to midline, and of course trying to get them in her mouth.

She loves looking at herself in the mirror.

It's been really warm lately, so after lunch I got out the double stroller and walked up the road to a school to play on their playground.  It was a whole lot windier outside than it looked and I almost didn't make it to the school.  That stroller is heavy enough, but when you add strong winds pushing you in the opposite direction it makes it quite difficult.  Thank goodness Jon was getting a lunch break around that time, so he came and picked us up after we played a little while so that I wouldn't have to try to walk all the way back home (all uphill).

Yesterday evening we ventured out to Wal-Mart pharmacy drive-through to pick up a prescription while it was still 2011 & free.  I think several people had that same idea because it took forever!  Annabel screamed the entire 20 minutes we waited in the car.  Then we went across the street to CFA drive-through and Adeline screamed for "nummies" the whole time we were in line there.  By the time we got back on the interstate I was about to lose my mind!  I finally told Adeline to stop talking and listen to the music if she couldn't do anything but whine.  It worked, and the rest of the evening was nice and relaxed.  It's pretty sad when you start to feel like you can't even leave the house to go through a drive-through!

 These beautiful babies were my dinner dates!

Jon got home in time to help with bath and bedtime...praise Jesus!  Then it was back to work for him again at 5:30 this morning.  Poor guy!  We didn't sleep well at all last night because every dog in the neighborhood was freaking out over the fireworks.  

On a positive note, Annabel woke up once in the middle of the night and put herself back to sleep within 5 minutes all on her own!  She went on to sleep a full 12 hours last night!

This morning I was brave and took both girls to church by myself.

Adeline is cutting her two-year molars so can't keep her fingers out of her mouth.

We've spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  We hope Daddy makes it home soon!

Annabel says Happy New Year!

 

Play Dates

We've had a couple play dates at our house this week.  On Wednesday Westin came over while his momma went to a doctor appointment.

After Adeline's nap, we played with her new play-doh.  I love afternoons with this girl.

This is not from a play date, but I had to document this.  On Thursday I was nursing Annabel and I had Clifford on TV.  Adeline actually laid down to watch it.  She NEVER is still this long and absolutely NEVER lays down except to go to sleep for naps and at nighttime.

Today, Cilla and Rebekah came over to play and have lunch.  It is unseasonably warm today, so the girls got to enjoy some outdoor time.

My child refuses to smile or look at the camera.

It's been a fun week.  We are so blessed with such sweet friends!

Christmas Vacation

We went to our hometown in Texas for Christmas as usual.  It was a jam-packed weekend of fun and festivities.  I am one worn out momma.  I think I'll be recovering all week!

We got to Texas on Thursday and spent the night with Jon's parents.  My parents came over for dinner and we visited a while.

We spent Friday visiting a few others and Jon and I got our eyes checked.  I'm getting bifocals!  Oh my, I'm old!  That night went to eat with my aunt, uncle, & cousin.  Adeline calls my aunt Tater Tot.  It's so cute! We stayed the night on Friday with my parents.

Saturday morning one of my BFFs and her precious daughter, Lyla came to visit and exchange gifts.  This is the only picture I got!

Adeline would get right in Lyla's face & talk to her and tickle her.  Lyla thought it was hilarious!  We can't wait to see them again in January for Lyla's first birthday.

Then my mom and Adeline made a Happy Birthday Jesus cake.  What a cute & fun tradition.

After the cake was done we all sang happy birthday to Jesus and then ate some yummy cake.

That afternoon we went back to Jon's parents' to visit his aunt Janice.  Murry was there so we got a picture of the grands and their three matching granddaughters.

Murry & Annabel

We spent Christmas Eve at my grandparents', Pops & MiMi.  Adeline ate everything in sight then had a blast opening all her gifts.

Nana & Annabel

The grand & great-grand kids

We spent Saturday night at my parents' and had Christmas morning at their house.  Once again, Adeline LOVED opening presents.

She got lots of chapstick.  See it smeared on her face?  :)

Annabel watched while her sister opened her gifts for her.

Pappy with his granddaughters

For lunch we went to my other grandmother's, Ginga.  And once again, opened more gifts.

2 of my Loves

Kasey & Annabel

My uncle John showing Adeline how to use the view finder.

We went from there over to some of mine & Jon's high school friends' house (they're brother & sister).  This is Annabel with Emily.  We were majorettes together.  Her brother, Matt, is Jon's age.  He has a little girl named Abigail that is Adeline's age.  He and his wife are expecting a little boy in May.

Adeline & Abigail with Abigail's Nana

We celebrated Christmas night at Jon's parents' house with all his siblings.  I always love being with all of them.

Jon & his mommy

And ta-da!  Christmas is over!  We had such a great time with all our friends and family.