The Usual Chaos

A night in our house is never actually normal. You never know what Hadley and her father are going to come up with to do. She is getting so big and developmentally, just blows me away. Climbing, running, jumping (well fake jumps). Verbally she is something else. Attempting to put three or four words together and continuing with her rambling where she is really just beyond cute. She's in the monkey see monkey do and or say phase which has it's moments (think about words mom and dad might say and how cute yet wrong they are to hear repeated!!!!!!!). Gweny is just TOOO big. We are officially moving into size three diapers and packing away 3-6 month clothes. She just keeps growing. Her four month check up is next week so everyone will get to see how large and in charge she is. Back in December, the 23rd she was 15 lbs even!!!!!!!! SOOOOO BIG!!!

Enjoy the chaos...

New Year New Us

This year, Mark and I have decided to refocus on family. Our own family, spending less TV time and mroe play time. We have split the house chores down the middle and have a chore chart to share the load. We don't have the TV on until the girls are down. Play time is a PRIORITY and I must say, we are LOVING it. We started before Christmas and it's still going. I hope it doesn't stop as I know the girls are in heaven and it's so fun connecting with them. We hope to become closer with our families, enjoying the time we get together. Last, we want to make time for friends, especially those that are expecting which is a TON of our friends because becoming a parent is like joining a club....A club full of ups and downs, but most important, the most rewarding club you will ever join.



Beautiful with her crazy tu-tu courtesy of Aunt Deb



Emmie and Elliott enjoying the desserts at Christmas!!



Hadley cruisin for food at the DeBord family xmas...



James spoiling chunky monkey...



Too precious. Evan, Ella and Hadley playing some crazy music!

Happy New Year!

What a couple of weeks?!?! We have been so busy with multiple family get togethers. It was so nice to catch up with a lot of people we don't get to see all the time. Of course, I LOVED showing off my angels the whole time also!!! We survived the holidays with no major incidents. Hadley was sick pre-holidays but got much better with some ear drops. Gweny has been, knock on wood, sleeping through the night for about three weeks now. Like 10-12 hours. I am BEYOND proud. After church this morning, Mark and I started talking about all of our blessings in the past few years. Mark and I have only known each other for four years and we have managed to build a beautiful family. We realized 2010 is a time to ENJOY...this will be the first year there is (hopefully) no pregnancy or new baby in our home. Granted TONS of our friends and even some family are having little ones so it is our turn to enjoy these bundles. We are going to begin getting serious about planning for our big move. Granted it's probably a few more years (like 2)away but it never hurts to start planning. It's going to be a great year with Hadley turning 2 and Gweny turning 1...PARTY PARTY!!! I look forward to all the adventures that lie ahead!



Grandma still looks a little rough, but this is four generations- a priceless photo.



My family with Grandma



She just loves her great grandchildren, number 34 I believe...

Next is a view into the ridiculousness that we call home. Hadley is just a crazy little cat...



Only a diaper and socks. Man does this girl LOVE socks, santa socks, kitty socks, star socks....



I wish I could say potty training is going well but NOT so much. We have regressed, we rarely go on the potty but take lots of practice runs!! Also, the Foofa hat...what can I say every day is dress up!!!

There are a ton more pictures but I am saving them as I plan to try and get back to regular posting...

Happy Holidays

Wow. The holidays are here already?! Mark and I survived an interesting week- to say the least. I decided to get an ear infection and couldn't move my jaw- awesome. Hadley decided to get the 24 hour bug which resulted in a LOT of puking. My dog continues to puke throughout all this ridiculousness?!?!?! Hadley ALSO has another ear infection, but taking it like a champ. On a VERY positive note, my little blondie has mastered sleeping...yes I'm saying it out loud, hoping to NOT curse ourselves. She has had to be re-binked a few times but for the most part is staying down from like 8 or 9 until I wake her at 6, or like 9 on the weekends. Finally I am starting to get myself back together, no more sleep deprivation!!! I may actually be able to spell my name or stay up past 830 haha!! Enjoy the pictures, we will have more following the debord Christmas this afternoon!

BIRTHDAY

Today my husband turns 29. If you ask him he thinks he is only turning 28 but that's a whole different story. Looking back over the past 4 years, it amazes me that I've only known him for four years. He is in all my memories and the life we have created with each other in four years is UNBELIEVABLE even to me who is a part of it. A great marriage with two beautiful daughters, we are beyond blessed. Last year I listed 28 things I love about him. This year I have two children under the age of two so that is not happening. I caught a quick break between feedings, baths and dinner so this is what you get. I love you. Period.



I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DADA I CAN'T STAND IT...



How'd I get so grown up?!




I LOVE OUR LATE NIGHTS TOGETHER (Mark stays up with her until she goes down at like 1130)



Could they be any cuter?

Back to Work, Ugh

So I started back last Wednesday and man was it rough. Getting out of the house in the morning seems like a marathon. Starting my day at 530 is rough, granted I'm usually already up with Gweny?!?! If she could just make the WHOLE night life would be a lot better for us!! (okay, me). Gweny is becoming a real talker, cooing, sighing and grunting to our delight!! She has adjusted to going to the sitter like a champ, I honestly don't know that she even realizes I'm not there ha, except being boob-less!!! Jackie (our sitter) just adores her and think she sounds just like Hadley. I of course still have some impact on her beautiful looks! Potty training is still an attempt with Hadley, hence these pictures. Not everyone has a potty in their living room do they??! Mom had to for the times Hadley just had to go when I was feeding sissy!!



I can't believe how grown up she is...









The silliest songs make Gweny laugh like crazy. This is our Lion King sacrifice song that we get going with Hadley & Gweny- THEY LOVE IT!!!

What a Week!

My last week of maternity leave has been a ROLLERCOASTER of emotions. Mark and I got to spend two nights without our children at the casino- Belterra. We gambled a little, had a FANTASTIC dinner, and just relaxed. It was so refreshing and much needed couple time! We then packed up the car and headed up to my parents to spend the rest of the week. We planned to paint a mural in the playroom, which we did and it turned out AWESOME. I didn't take a picture, I actually didn't get my camera out one time the entire trip home. What was supposed to be a long holiday weekend with the family turned into chaos. Our family suffered a great loss on November 25th. My grandpa, Hank Elling, passed away and grandma, Lucy ended up in the ICU for two days with a broken arm, multiple stitches in her head, and rising heart enzymes. We were blessed in that she came to baseline and was discharged on Friday. Looking back at my memories with Grandpa I am flooded with emotions. He was the bossy old man that LOVED his grandkids (21) and great grandkids (33) soooo much. He always wanted to show you his garden and make sure you had plenty of food. So many sayings come to mind when I think of grandpa- "if you do anything bad name em after me, or excuse the hogs the pigs is coming." Priceless sayings that I won't get the joy of hearing any more. I will miss being referred to as "sunshine" and of course, getting a view of grandpa's naked hoola lady on his arm from those days in the service. We are blessed though that I get to hear grandma say, "don't forget we still love you." We are blessed that our entire family (70 some) was able to be there for the viewing. In memory of grandpa a shot of black velvet was taken following a toast which had some powerful words. "We are who we are, because of who he was." Much love grandpa, I am blessed that you got to meet both of my angels and I will share my memories with them as they grow up.