Our little flower girl

Robert Perrotta married Colleen this weekend. This was a fantastic day for many reasons.  Robert and Colleen seem really happy , though its hard to believe Robert is married already. Ellie got to be their flower girl. Though she was nervous, she had a fantastic day as a mini princess. Colleen really involved her on everything. She got to have makeup done and hair done. Ellie ate up every minute of it. As Colleen got ready, as asked Ellie to help her get dressed too. It was so sweet of her. 

Ellie was a trooper and kept good spirits most of the day. She and the ring bearer played their roles perfectly at the church, despite why father Kyle thought might happen. Then, they even started to enjoy each others company too. 

The reception was awesome! It was great seeing everyone and I loved having Ellie and Max there to whiteness the event and learn about weddings. Max enjoyed drinking his bubble juice. He mentioned it was like wine! Turns out he didn't like re taste at all, but the experience was too much to turn down. 

Ellie told me her favorite part of the night was dancing with Anna, Mike an Shannon. She had a lot of fun and so did I!

On the move

Clair is starring to become more active. She's grabbing at things. Today I noticed she wiggled herself sideways on her favorite play mat!

Who's watching who

Ellie dreads naps theses days. She's too big for them she thinks. I, on the other hand, am not too big for them; I love them!

I stole one on the couch this afternoon after reading a few books to the girls. Ellie took care of me - fan off, seats up, and sat quietly playing her leap pad. She's a good girl!

Three months have flown by already

Today Clair is three months old. Ive Only had the chance to spend a little time thinking about where we were two months ago today. At that time we thought her name was Kate. We were in the hospital getting to know her. I was very itchy and exhausted. Three months later I'm no longer itchy, but still feeling quite exhausted most of the time.

Our little girl has made great strides in three months. She is on track with her weight and height. She smiles so wonderfully all the time. I've honestly never met another human being who liked looking in my eyes for such a long period of time as my Clair.  She is a good sleeper. And she clearly loves her big brother big sister! 

There have been moments during the past three months that have felt like they have going on for a long time, but overall these three months of just flying by. This is a true reminder of how fast life does go once we graduate high school. I want to enjoy every moment of it. This is why I blog, to try to remember these moments. This blog is for me and my kids.

I didn't get to do much of a photo shoot with her today, but I've enjoyed a few. My favorite is the one below where I'm holding her right before we head off to bed. I love to cuddle her. She's sitting on my lap right now smiling on and off while dreaming. Sweet Dreams my darling girl. 

Dinner time stress

I have decided the kids have to eat what David and I are eating. In the log run, I pray this is right and I think it is. However, the personal stress for me associated with this process is driving me to drink. Literally, I hate it. I can't handle the wining, negotiating, crying, fighting, etc.

Max is doing better catching on to the process, after having his dinner for breakfast a couple times. Ellie on the other hand is more dramatic and driving me insane at times. I hope this gets better.

Underwear

Max has been slow to be interested in potty training. Sure, he loves to go at bedtime and nap time - instead of sleep, but to stop playing, no thanks, he'll just pee in his underwear and keep playing until I realize he needs changing. At 3 years and a month, and only two months of my maternity leave left, it's time for us to get serious about this. Because, in all fairness, we haven't put full effort into this  as parents.

Today, for the first time, I allowed Max to venture out in public wearing underwear. He was sure he could do it, so I showed faith and went with (while grabbing a spare pair of clothes and a diaper on the way out and shoving them into my purse.)

I reminded him many times, and really focused on him. I even let him ride in the grocery cart car for the first time (after cleaning it with four Purrell wipes) which put him over the moon! We tried using the potty once while we were at the store, with frustration from Max because, "there's no pee coming!" declared Max!

We preserved, he got his bribery cookie, and we made it home with him dry! I was so proud. 

Two minutes in the door, he peed his pants! Oh well. I let him put a new pair on and he made it until nap dry! Best morning yet for him!

My boy

Max is changing so much. The only thing I dreaded about having Clair was how much I know my relationship with Max would change. The changes for a child from being your baby to not being your youngest baby anymore can't help but change the way you interact with them. At least that's how it is for me, as it was the same when I went from having just Ellie to having Ellie and Max also.

As things get more normal with Clair, I'm settling in with the new relationship with Max. He and I get some time usually, although it is hard, each day to do something together. He is talking so clearly, and generally acting very grown-up. I'm proud of him. He's a happy funny boy and a great big brother!

It was especially cute this afternoon when I looked out in the driveway to see him having returned from daycare with David standing there in his Navy blue sleeveless shirt and gray shorts looking all grown up with rosy red cheeks, and holding his little teddy bear tight as can be. I thought she looked especially adorable.

Two perfect little girls

I'm a lucky mom! This morning the girls and I dropped Max at daycare and went shopping. First stop Starbucks of course, and then on to the shops. These two girls were angels. Clair slept the whole time despite the movement, noise, temperature changes and her seat. Ellie helped me shop for tops and was a perfect encouraging partner. She didn't even ask for things for her! Now she's giving her sister a bottle. 

I'm a lucky mom!

Snuggles

Someone recently told me that sometimes a newborn just needs their Mommy to cuddle on the couch with them all day. This sound as dreamy as it is unrealistic. But last night, thanks to David, I got the pleasure of snuggling Clair for an hour or so after dinner. I rested while David took the big kids outside. It was very peaceful!

Family Dinner

We have allowed Ellie and Max to get away with eating peanut butter cheese and yogurt almost all the time. About a week ago I decided I had had enough of this. The kids are now given the option to eat what is on the table or eat it in the morning for breakfast.

Needless to say, this doesn't make them happy. I think they are learning that we are serious about this. This morning Max started his day with a bit of leftover salad and pumpkinseed and shredded cheese that was part of his dinner last night. He remembered that as he was sitting in front of his dinner tonight. I had given him a choice of chicken or pizza. The rest of the family was having pizza and David and I were having salads. 

Next asked for chicken. So that is what he got. He refused to eat it. About 45 minutes into dinner after reminding him multiple times he would see this again in the morning, he asked for piece of pizza. Now, it would seem that pizza is easy for all children to eat, but not our max. He has never eaten a slice of his life! And that is really painful because pizza would be an easy meal.

He nibbled at it, then told me he didn't like it. I said that was fine, eat your chicken. He said no. He finally took another bite. After another bite, he announced "mommy I like pizza! "

I would like to think of this is a little victory, but I know there is a lot more drama to come. I only hope he gets braver. At the end of the meal he was so proud of himself, that he Even sang himself the Daniel Tiger song about trying new foods because they might taste good.

Engaged

This week Ellie went to Vacation Bible School. It was the first camp like thing that she has done, and meant that she was away from mommy each morning all week. Drop off on Monday was sketchy to say the least, and I watched her hold back the tears. I was proud of her. As the week progressed drop off became easier, and it was obvious she was having a lot of fun. However, when I picked her up she was always very excited to see me and always ran to give me a hug.

Friday morning when Clair and I were waiting to pick Ellie up, I noticed she wasn't scanning the room for me as she walked in. And I noticed she was holding hands with the boy. Then I watched her kiss the boys hands. I was gob smacked to use the word David likes. I said, "hi Ellie, who is your friend?" In a very giddy voice she smiles and announces "we are engaged! "

Oh my goodness. You can imagine how I felt. I could not believe this had started so soon. Ellie had not really shown interest in boys, other than Owen from daycare years ago. But she never used words like boyfriend or engaged or kissing or any of those such affections.

I watch them as they ran around the room. Her fiancé ran to her seat and picked up her things for her and was yelling "Ellie, Ellie." It turns out his name was Owen too. They were both very fond of each other and having a good time. I was just in shock.

As the day went on I got the rest of the story. Apparently, in the big room, Owen kissed Ellie on the cheek and then got down on one knee and asked Ellie to marry him. It surprised me was that all the teachers seem to think this was cute. Perhaps I'm an old fuddy-duddy, but at their age I don't think they should even pretend to be getting married.

Needless to say this adventure has sparked many conversations with Ellie Including the one about when she can date, and when she can kiss boys. I tried to explain to her that she should not be kissing boys that she's not related to at this point in her life. She asked me when can I kiss boys mommy. I said, when you are 16. Ellie responds by huffing, crossing her arms and saying, "no way, that's way too old!" What in the world?

Later in the day we also had a conversation about what makes someone special, and how boyfriends and eventually her real fiancé needs to be very special. When I asked her what was special about Owen her first response was his name. We talk to bit more about this concept, and I guess it's hard to understand. As Grannie later said, I guess we better take keep her away from Wales. And so it begins.....

A dream come true

This week we had the driveway redone. It was a dream come true for Max. Ellie really enjoyed it too.

On Tuesday they showed up just after lunch with a big digger to remove the old blacktop. Kids sat glued to the window watching it.  They watched the whole thing. It was about hours worth of entertainment. I nearly took out popcorn for them.

On Wednesday they came back just in time for lunch. Goal of Wednesday was delay the new blacktop. The kids were just as interested. The digger came as well as a roller and a black top spreader.

I ended up fixing them a picnic lunch so they could sit at the window and watch. They enjoyed it immensely.

Angel

Clair fell asleep alone playing in her crib tonight without even a pacifier or a cry! I'm so proud of her!!!! Mommy and daddy sure appreciated this easy night night sleep.

Mornings with Clair

Often I put Clair back to sleep before coming downstairs to start my day. But once in a while she comes with me. She's ready for her sleep and she swings in front of me while I do my chores of pumping and making her bottles. She's a cutie. She swings and chats with me for a good half hour, before dozing off to sleep. She's a cutie pie. I love the way she smiles and talks to me.

Fashion queen

This morning when I wake up I told her I was going to take her to see a movie as a special treat. I left her to dress herself. This is how she came downstairs dressed. At first I wanted to tell her she was ridiculous and to change, but I took a deep breath and decided to just let her go if that's really what she wanted to wear.

We had a nice morning at the movies just Ellie, Clair, and me. Clair let us get through the movie which was all we could ask. Max was enjoying the day playing with his friends at day care.

She is waddling like a penguin in the picture above. We had some Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Butterflies a d Roses

Today we headed to Tacoma Park to visit a garden with roses and a butterfly exhibit. We were all quite excited. Ellie made sure everyone was dressed with colors, but she was the one who wanted a butterfly to land on her most. 

I enjoyed smelling the roses and getting photos on the rose garden first. It was fun. Then once in the butterfly garden, some weren't that interested to stay very long, unfortunately. I thought it was very peaceful. 

The only one to et a butterfly was Max. This wasn't his choice, in fact I think h only appreciated it because Ellie was so jealous. This butterfly stuck to him like glue for nearly 10 minutes. We tried everything to transfer the butterfly to Ellie - her wearing the blue hat ad even having max sit on her lap. Unfortunately nothing worked. 

The day was a lot of work for me as a parent, I hope the kids had fun, but I'm not real sure. We tried. 

Relaxing summer evening watching kids have fun

The kids got some fun cool stuff from aunt Dorothy at Christmas.  They have been dying to try it out. David finally blew it up on the Fourth of July. Tonight we came back outside to enjoy it again. I got to sit here holding my baby girl watching my two big kids giggle laugh and play together. There were barely any tears. It was a great summer evening! One that I would like to remember.