3 Reasons Why...

I wait for Dave to be home before I shower...

Baptism

Victoria and Alexandra were baptized on March 1st. I plan to upload the video and more pictures as soon as I figure out how to get them off my camera. I stole this one from my brother's Facebook page. Both girls had beautiful white dresses handmade by their extremely talented Aunt Jenn. People came up to me after the service to inquire about where they can buy one. She'd be a rich woman if she decided to sell them!

I was so excited to have the dress for Vix that I put it on her as soon as it arrived. I'm posting that picture too, but she isn't all fixed up or anything yet.

Gardenscape

We went to Gardenscape this weekend with my brother and fam. Inside the convention center type place, tons of landscape companies come and set up gardens, showcasing their unique styles and talents. It was a much needed burst of spring. I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to but I did get one or two of Vix! The hyacinths and lilacs smelled so delicious!

Virtual Jenn

I have always believed that things can hold a person's energy. Which, oddly enough, is one of the reasons I won't wear someone elses jewelry. I have seen some amazingly beautiful estate pieces but the thought of it sort of creeps me out. Just when you thought I couldn't be weirder eh? I do have a point, kinda. Allie had the worst day ever today. She cried most of the day and could not be calmed...definitely not her personality. This evening she cruised over to the dress Pooh made for me when I was pregnant with her. She pulled it down off the hanger, rubbed her cheek against it and fell asleep. I feel like she felt Jenn's love and peaceful self.

Growing quick!

Our Allie is growing so quick. I blink an eye and another month has gone by. She is really eager to walk and made it across the room with her walker tonight.

Clean Bill of Health/ Anti-Ferber Rant

Allie's lungs are clear!!! Take that RSV! Her ears too. We are really excited. We were waiting for an all clear from the doctor so we can take our trip. She's cleared to fly!! (Did I mention I'm thrilled???) Here is our Allie girl, eating blueberries for breakfast.

She hasn't returned to a normal sleep schedule yet. The pediatrician told me to "Ferberize" her. For those that don't know, the Ferber method is a parenting technique wherein you basically ignore your child and let them work things out on their own. Supporters of the method I'm sure, would describe it much nicer but that's how I see it. The doc told me that when Allie wakes up at night, I should go in, pat her back, tell her its ok, and leave the room for the rest of the night while she screams it out. HELLO???? It's a scary world and she has only had 7 months to get used to it. She didn't ask to be born and I feel if my sleep gets interrupted (or cancelled altogether) it's just part of being a Mom. It's a choice you make when you decide to bring a child into this world. Ok, so being a proactive parent is something I tend to get on my soapbox about. Yes, my girls are cuddled, snuggled and coddled. Victoria seems to be growing up just fine. She doesn't cling to my leg and sob when I leave her at preschool, she embraces her children's church time on Sundays, she offers her hand and introduces herself to people at the Y. She has a self confidence about her and she knows that when she is ready for me that I am there. What sort of message does Ferber send? Oh yeah, you're on your own kid, I'm not here for you.
ok, one more example and I promise I'll stop ranting. When Vix was wee, maybe 7 or 8 months old she got all twisted around in her crib. She ended up sticking her leg out through the bars and somehow rolling over getting her little chubber good and stuck. She screamed. I was downstairs doing chores at the time and it took me a minute to hear her. I ran upstairs to check on her and her little leg was stuck so tight that it was purple. Supposed she was a "Ferber" baby and I hadn't checked, would would the fate of that leg have been?
ok, done with my rant! I know a couple of you are Ferber moms, but I refuse to apologize!

National Museum of Play

We went to the National Museum of Play to see their Mr. Potato Head exhibit and meet a few (human) characters from Sesame Street.


Allie used the opportunity to practice her crawling skills. Her shirt was a little big and she kept falling on it. When she fell she would turn around and look at me, as if to say "seriously mom, seriously?"






We are happy that Allie is feeling better. She has been sick with RSV for a couple of weeks. She couldn't have any milk and lost over 2 lbs. She wasn't a chubby baby to begin with! She is eating again now (as of yesterday) and definitely making up fo lost time!

Not Yet Allie!!

Our Allie is so determined to walk it is scary. When she crawls she ends up doing somersaults because she is trying to stand up!

The First Day of Preschool

A momentous day in our lives has arrived. Amidst many false starts (mostly due to illness and politics) Victoria's first day of preschool is here. She is beside herself with excitement and woke up at 4:30 to get ready. (Class starts at 9) I made her chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and then thought maybe I shouldn't have started the day with sugar. Poor teacher, I'm guessing she is used to it though.

Well, we made it through the morning without our big girl. Allie and I were lost!! Mrs. Michelle, Victoria's teacher said she had a great day. She said she exudes self confidence and self assurance. High praise indeed!!

When I grow up...

I want to be a monster hunter. Ok, this is so not the best picture of Victoria but she was being so funny that I had to post it. This is her "monster hunter" uniform. She crawls under the beds, through the closests and around the basement hunting things that go bump in the night. She always wears her trusty kitty cat rain boots and packs a flashlight. We haven't talked about what she'll do when she catches one but I'll let you know :-)