Merry Christmas

We had such a lovely Christmas. Here are a couple of pics. If Sissy likes it she eats it...that is why you see her with her new princess blanky in her mouth. :) I am so thrilled to have little people in my life, it just fills our life with action and joy.

Mommy's Little Angels

I tell you it is hell trying to get these little sweeties pictures! It took some time but here they are. This is Gracia's 3 month picture and just in time for Christmas. It looks like when they said "terrible two's" they really mean "three's" Tad is testing his independence yelling "No! no! No!" with his stop hand in the air while Gracia just smiles for the camera.

Our Crazy Life

I had a pretty rough day today...it inspired me to back up my files and update my blog. Laura reminded me that I have not updated in awhile. I personally like photos on blogs best...so instead of boring you with stories about how my son peed on my leg and the spit up down my back I will show you the more glamorous side. I will be sending out announcements soon...I have had them but it is so hard to get those envelopes addressed and out. So I will attach the thumbnails today. Also, Kevin missed the birth when he went to Spaghetti Factory with Tad, so he was so surprised to see Gracia when he walked in the door...I love that photo.

She is here

After four hours of labor she came. No drugs and no epidural. I am still amazed myself. She arrived 8/14 @ 8:08PM (the time was her due date). She was almost 7lbs 4oz...so little compared to Tad. Tad and Gracia are identical. When I can catch a breath I will post photos. I am so tired and stretched right now. I love having two.

Induction...

She is just so comfortable where she is at she doesn't want to come out! I am now at the hospital and we just started inducing as she is a week over due. We will see!

Could Be Soon...

Tonight I am up with contractions. I said my prayers and gave up the idea that I was in control of this and guess what? I am now having regular contractions of 7 minutes apart. Of course this meant I had to immediately clean the toilet since it is on my nesting list. I bought my final diapers today and that seemed to help me relax as well. All in all the prayers of surrender worked so far. Hopefully this is it. I would love to go naturally rather than through induction.

Over Due

Waiting patiently (not really) for baby. On Friday we bound my belly in hopes that this helps move her down. Tonight I had some pretty good contractions for an hour, but they have subsided. She is planning on her own time. For me I will keep binding, walking, and plan to see the doctor on Tuesday. If she is still holding out by Friday the plan is to induce.

Tad, Gracia Mae, & Mommy Together

We took special pictures today of just Mommy and the kids. I took the opportunity before she comes to document her tummy time and our excitement of her arrival. I think they turned out great...Tad is such a little ham. :) Take a look at my pride and joys...

New Phone

So I have a new phone. I like it but I was still bummed over the loss of all my contacts and pictures. I called Red Robin and Toys R Us daily...I bet they referred to me as the "crazy green phone lady". Would you know one week later after a lot of drama and expense, Tad brings me my green phone with a big smile and the look of "hey mom, I know you have been looking for this, now let's keep our talk time on this thing to a minimum." He had it in his secret hiding place all along. Thank you God for answering this prayer...He too may be referring to me as the "crazy green phone lady"!

Lost My Phone!

I can't find my phone anywhere! I am not sure if I lost it or Tad put it somewhere special for safe keeping. Anyway sorry to those I haven't called back...I really didn't know you called! I hate being without my phone! Ahhhh!

Potty Injury

Potty training can be some risky business! Poor little Tad got a big goose egg next to his left eye when he decided to lean forward with his knees while doing his business. The stool (a decorative yet not official potty training type) slid out from under him. He hit the back of the toilet and we were off for emergency. I flew out of the house with ice pack on his head and laid on the horn in the construction area to get the dump truck out of the way, yelling out my window "Move! Baby to emergency! Now! I should known at that point that Tad was fine. He sat in the back cheering and smiling saying, "YAY!!, Wee!" Well it looks worse than it is. I told the doctor this was the lat head injury...I just can't take much of these! He is too active for my good. We are now getting into scraped knees as well. May be I should look into getting a medical degree of sorts...I may need it. I am attaching a pre-injury picture of Tad at the little zoo potty...let me tell you, I really wish I had this model at the house right now!

Big Brother Play Date

Four Weeks and Counting!

The zoo we like to frequent is Point Defiance. :) I am posting a pic of Tad and his little buddy looking at the sharks!

Gracia Mae was 5 lbs 5oz today for the big 36 week ultra sound. It looks like we will be going to the official due date of 8/7/09. That is a good thing...she needs a few more pounds! (I on the other hand don't!)

I am enjoying spending quality time with Tad...we are doing a lot of outings and I am wearing him out. The zoo, ocean, Seattle Children's Museum, and the Olympia Children's Museum tomorrow. As Laura pointed out this will be the last time it is just Tad and I so we are making the most of it...as I am not sure how I am going to get two little people out of the house at once for a while.

I am also posting a pic of some California fun in the sun. Tad loves the water and couldn't get enough of being thrown in the pool.

Less Than Five Weeks to Go!

I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. At my last doctor visit I was told with my activity level (AKA Tad) I will probably deliver sooner than later. I worked on my birth plan today which makes it feel real...not that the lack of sleep, my huge belly, and the kicking baby isn't a good indicator of real for me.
Tad continues to be a potty trainer and I am amazed! We are officially not going back to diapers for Tad. I read in many places that the average potty training age is 3years 3 months. I would like to claim this is due to extraordinary parenting on my part and a highly gifted child, as would any mom... Really it is the cloth diapers and a little bit of chocolate.
Our favorite place these days is the zoo. We have a membership now and can bring friends! Give me a call because we can all go together! (Max of 3 visitor per visit as per contract). You might think we love the animals, but really I attribute our many visits to the little porcelain potty! Yes a really working potty that is Tad's size. We play and potty! Life is good in the zoo potty land.
I love the zoo mainly because Tad thinks it is great, but I love to watch the people. A day at the zoo is a major holiday for most and the camera's are out everywhere. It reminds me of a photo shoot and paparazzi are everywhere! I don't know who will be more scared my children for not being documented enough or there's for the lack of face time with mom. Either way next time I will bring my camera and take a picture of the coveted potty...I may even post it. Now that should earn me mother of the year!

Potty for Tad

I can't believe it! Tad decided to start using the potty last night, and he is still going strong. I am not going to push it but this is really exciting news...a proud mommy moment.

Also, Gracia Mae is getting bigger and bigger (or I am) we only have 7 weeks left if you can believe it.

Tad gets a new Big Brother gift

I am back! Glenn fixed my problem and now I can post again. I hope I still have some followers!
Wildwood welcomed Gracia Mae with a special shower in our library. It was a special day. Little Grace will be one chic little girl in her pink wardrobe!

Tad at Work

Tad is big into fruit these days. Tad and Mommy cleaned off a a whole (small of course!) watermelon! "nanas" are still his favorite. He has been yelling "Yuck!" lately...I found out this is his word for "truck"...I don't feel so badly about his manners now. :) He is big into the movie "Cars" and loves the playing with the "Cars" toys these days...just can't get enough when it comes to transportation. He even was changing the wheels on his train. Little Grace gets excited when she hears her daddy and brother playing cars and going "Vrrroom! Vrrroom!" she squirms all over the place...I think she wants to get in on the action. So much for my dream of having someone to play Barbie with.

It's a Girl!

Take a look at the sonogram pictures from March 24th, our twenty week appointment.

Tad Love's Outside Play!

Our family is growing!

Tuesday is the big day. We go in for the 20 week ultrasound and we will find out if it is officially a girl or a boy! Stay posted! I may even have some photos to post.

Tad's Two Year Photos

We were finally able to get Tad's 2 year photos. We will link the album to Photo Bucket so you can have the pictures. They are so cute. He is growing so fast!