Baby Dolls, Baby Dolls, and More Baby Dolls

I think it is so amazing that God programs very specific things into boys and girls. My nephew Wyatt loves anything that has a wheel on it. Ella on the other hand is all girl and loves her baby dolls. She has 4 baby dolls. Please don't think we bought all of them, in fact one is mine from when I was little and the other 3 have been gifts for various holidays. She has 2 baby strollers (both gifts) and a little baby crib. She refuses to let us call them a name other than "Purple Baby, Pink Baby, Green Baby and Pink Baby." She spends hours a day feeding them, putting them in the strollers to go shopping and to camp, laying them down on blankets to take their naps, changing their diapers, stealing Audrey's toys to let her babies play with them, and of course, rocking them to sleep. It really is funny and precious. Today I walked in the room and she had arranged them all on the floor to take their nap...she's such a little mommy!

Sisterly Love

One minute Ella can be so sweet and gentle with little Audrey...

The next...well, you can see that little Miss Trouble is out and Audrey has a look of fear on her face!

Our Bathing Beauties

We have a cheap (and I mean cheap) little blow up pool in the back yard that we are using to entertain Ella a bit in this summer heat. We decided to let Audrey take a dip this weekend. It was her first time in the water (other than her bath). She seemed to like it until Ella started doing dolphin kicks and splashed water all over Audrey's face. She was only in for about 10 minutes, but they had fun. Hopefully we'll have a chance to get her into a big pool before the end of the summer!

Olivia's Birthday Party

Today we went to a birthday party for Ella's friend, Olivia. Olivia's parents are in our Sunday School class at church and the girls are only a few months apart. Ella loves Olivia, probably because she is a bundle of girl energy just like herself. The party was at the Wiggles Center in Frisco. This was the first time Ella had been there and she had a blast! Lots of jump houses, mazes and slides. She was exhausted by bed time...thanks to Jeni and Jeremy for that!

Audrey's New Meal

Today Audrey got to try rice cereal for the first time. She seemed to spit more out of her mouth than what she actually took in. Ella really wanted to have some of the cereal, so to stop the whining I gave her a taste and that stopped the begging pretty quickly!

The Things Some People Say

I honestly question why some people say the things they do. I really noticed it towards the end of my pregnancy with Audrey when I would get complete strangers coming up to me saying "Are you having twins?" and "You are REALLY big." Okay, never in your life could this be construed as a compliment, especially when you are 8 months pregnant, feel miserable and even your maternity clothes don't fit anymore. My poor sister had it so much worse with all of her fluid issues and the combination of these rude comments plus the pregnancy hormones can really take a girl over the edge.



I've seen it a lot lately too with Audrey. Audrey is definitely a good eater and has the most precious little rolls. As her mommy, I can say that she's my little chubby baby, but it really bothers me when other people tell me how "Fat" she is--and yes, they use the word fat - and how there is no way she is only 4 months old because she is so big. I know it is the one time in your life that chubby cheeks and thunder thighs are thought of as cute, but it drives me crazy when people say it every where we go. I pray that she will inherit my mom's metabolism and that we will be able to teach both of our kids about being healthy.

Happy 4 Months Audrey

It is hard to believe Audrey is already a third through her first year of life. Life is hectic around our house, but we love having our two girls and the craziness of day to day life seems very "normal" to us now. Audrey's four month stats are:

• Weight - 15 pounds, 14 ounces (87%)


• Height - 24 3/8 inches (49%)


• Head - 17 inches (92%) - this must mean she's going to be REALLY smart

Our little one is definitely growing and is very healthy!

At 4 months, Audrey...

• Has completed grown out of all the 0-3 months clothes and even some of the 3-6 month stuff is tight around her thighs!


• Loves to sit in her Jumperoo and enjoys playing under her activity mat.


• Can sit in the Bumbo seat and look around unassisted.


• Will reach out and pick up toys and put them in her mouth.


• Loves to chew on her fist


• Loves to play patty cake!


• Really loves to interact with Ella and is all smiles when her big sister is around (even though most of the time Ella is picking on her).


• Still likes to get up by 6:30 and is ready for her first nap by 8:00!


• Trying to twist from side to side.

We feel so blessed to have such a sweet precious little princess and can not wait to see her grow!

Grumpy Daddy

Today we were driving to go shopping and Ella was doing her standard whining for a snack and her cup in the back. We had told her several times that she didn't need a snack and she needed to stop asking. John finally got a little stern and said "Ella, that is enough." Just as quick, she responded, "Daddy, you are grumpy." We aren't sure where she got that from, but we both couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Fun Fourth of July

The Carlisles invited us over for a fun 4th of July! Beth was my college roommate and our families now live just about 10 minutes from each other. Ella is in love with Will who is just about a year older than her and loves to see him at Mothers Day Out and at church on Sunday.

They had the best time dancing around with each other!!