Just like Great-Grandma

My grandmother was a wonderful woman and I miss her very much. I'm very sad that she never got a chance to meet my beautiful girls but I know someday we'll meet in heaven and that is a comfort. Some of my fondest memories were my visits with her when she would make me apple pie and pickles (don't worry, I didn't eat them together!) After her death I inherited her rolling pin and it is what I still use anytime I need to roll something out. Avery and I made rolls over the weekend and it was neat to see her using the rolling pin too. I know my grandmother would be very happy to see this. Four generations have used this rolling pin. I know it's a little, silly thing but sometimes its the small things that keep their meaning.

Isabel eating

So, Isabel can sort of feed herself. She is in love with the Puffs and can sometimes get them in her mouth. It's great for me as it keeps her busy while I deal with the rest of the family. This is a long, not very exciting video so don't say I didn't warn you!

Marianne visit and almost crawling!

Marianne came for a visit last weekend and we had a great time. We did a lot of relaxing outside and some shopping so I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The big "job" of the weekend was to find her a nice, new dress for John's wedding in May. I was a bit nervous since I consider myself the last person to ask fashion advice from but nevertheless I told her I would try. We took her to the "high end" mall in our area thinking they would have the best selection. Strangely they didn't have much but we did manage to find a beautiful and unique dress. Even more fun was that I was the one to actually find it. It was a bit different than anything she was trying and we weren't sure how the pattern would look on but it all worked. The only problem with it was the price tag!! Oh well, she asked for my help, not for me to pay!!!

We have 2 other exciting things happening in our household. First, Avery is now on her 2nd night with NO PACIFIER!!!!! Yay, I was beginning to think I would be giving her one to take to college. I mean this is the girl who would find one on the floor and go to her bedroom closet and hide to take "hits" off of it. It was like a crack addiction, she would lie and steal just to have it. Well the last one I let her have got a hole in it and I told her I needed to take it to "fix" it. Unfortunately it was beyond repair. So sad. She cried for a little bit but slept through the night. She asked tonight once and I said it was broken and that was it!

The other news is that Isabel is nearly crawling. She's in that rocking and rolling phase and it is amazing how far they can get. She hates to be stuck but Avery is good about helping her. Our next fun thing will be teaching Avery to share. She can be totally content with something else but as soon as Isabel touches one of "her" toys (every toy in the house!) she goes crazy. I can see this is going to be a tough lesson for her to learn. It might require a few time outs!
Isabel is still a very happy, easy baby. She does have a bit of a temper and when she wants something she doesn't like to wait but generally she can keep herself entertained. Dinner is a bit easier now that she is feeding herself Puffs. She can stay happy while I get everyone else served.


I love this picture of us. Too bad Isabel was napping.

Fixing Grandma MAGs hair.




What a move!


This is her favorite thing. No matter what her mood I can put her here and she will be content for at least 10 min!

salamander

We found a salamander last Friday and we took her* home as our pet for the weekend. On Monday I realized that I would be the one feeding and cleaning up after her so we decided to send her home.
Here is the release...

*we knew it was a her because Avery said it was and Girl was her name.

Dear Friends...

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

About 2 weeks ago I (with Isabel) traveled to Seattle to Ali's house to meet her daughter Taylor Michelle. Sara met us there and we had a good, old fashioned girl's weekend. Of course they are a little different then they were about 6 years ago but we have just as much fun and laugh just as hard as we used to. I can't tell you how many times I laughed until I cried this weekend. The sad thing is that there is NO WAY anyone else would think it was funny. Ali's wonderful husband was so good to put up with us. He even tagged along a few times and one night he offered to watch both Tatum and Isabel while we visited Snoqualmie falls and had some food and wine. I think both girls kept him on his toes but he did a great job!Ali has little 6 week Taylor, Sara has 15mo Tatum and I, of course, have the 2 girls. Our girl's circle keeps getting bigger! We can't wait until all the girls are a little older and we can take them on trips with us.
Ali, Sara and I have been best friends since we were 15 years old. I've actually known Ali since I was six but the 3 of us became close in High School and church youth group. Even though we went to 3 different colleges, made other friends and then moved to different states, our bond is still the same. These 2 women know me better than anyone and it has been so much fun for me to watch them become mothers. I know I drove Sara crazy while she was pregnant with Tatum, talking about how excited I was. I think Sara finally understood what I was feeling during Ali's pregnancy.
Anyway, we had a great time and I can't wait until we get together the next time.


Not the best picture of me but since Ali and Sara have the better shots on their cameras this will have to do. Sadly this is the only picture of the 5 of us together!

How cute are these girls. They both happened to have the same onesie so we thought it would be fun to get a picture.




So sweet.

My favorite thing about newborns. I just love how they fit right on your chest. Ali was so sad to hear that this stage doesn't last forever...


I really think they became best friends this weekend...

She is such a happy girl!

Sara was the only childless one that weekend so she was a big help! Clearly she has a way with children and Isabel loves her Aunt Sara...

Ali is a natural mother!