Please look at her site

http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

I have spent the last two hours reading the story of Audrey Caroline and her family. It is a sad and beautiful story- but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. This woman has suffered the greatest loss a parent can face, yet she has a faith in God that is bringing her through the storm. Her writing is simple and beautiful. I've cried and prayed while I read her story and I hope that you will do the same.
*Make sure to look on the left sidebar where you can click to see the story from the beginning. And make sure you have a few hours to devote to this because you will not want to stop reading. God Bless!

More Than One?

"Well, you feel further along than 9 weeks. Did you say you have a sonogram scheduled right after your appointment with me?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I would order one anyway."



My mind is racing. No, my three-year old couldn't be right- she can't have ESP. There are not twins growing in my belly right now. There can't be. Why would God give us twins this late in the game? Why not with the first pregnancy, or even the second? Well, twins would be neat. Maybe it'd be a boy and a girl- one of each would be great. Oh no, what if there's some kind of growth in there that's not human- or worse, what if it's not benign.



These ideas went through my head faster than it took you to read them. Needless to say, my thoughts were getting the better of me- and I think my husband too. We joked out loud, "Ha, what if Kenli was right? Wouldn't that be funny to have twins as our FOURTH pregnancy?"



Everything else was good with the doctor, so we made our way down the hall to the sonogram room. I laid down on the table expecting to see two heartbeats or some weird growth. Both would be completely life changing. One in a good but scary way- the other in a bad and scary way.



Once my belly was jellied and cold, the tech put the magic wand against my skin to reveal the surprise. One little baby with a beating heart. She continued to scan since she knew she was looking for something along the lines of buy one get one free, but nothing popped up.



Happy, but nonetheless perplexed, my little family of five made our way out of the sonogram room. I looked to the doctor for an explanation of why I was measuring 13 weeks- she could only surmise that it is because I'm carrying number four. I'll take that answer- it makes much more sense than twins or fibroids!

Here is peanut number four. Send a comment with name suggestions and I'll add a poll. Send both boy and girl names- no one knows for sure this is another girl.

Two Wonderful Years

Two years ago today I was exactly 40 weeks pregnant, and my little family of three saw its last day- we were about to welcome Keira Grace into the world.

As the sun was rising the next morning, we dropped Kenli off at Gram and Papa's and said our goodbyes. We were very excited to be on our way to the hospital where we would soon meet our new daughter.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 in the morning- awaiting the lovely pitocin. After much delay, the fun finally started around 10:00 am. Of all my labors, Keira's was by far the easiest. The six hours I labored without the epidural were not terribly awful- my sister and I played hangman in between contractions. After the epidural, I had about four more hours of labor and with three pushes, my little Gracie Pants came out pink and screaming. She was placed in my arms, and I was in awe. The love was instant. And just like her older sister, Keira immediately pooped on me, but again I didn't care.

I remember the doctor's and nurses' reactions upon seeing her- "Oh, my she's big."

"Really," I said. And they all assured me that she was big. But she looked so small compared to my 13 month old at home. All 8 pounds 15 ounces of her was perfect as can be.

I cherished our time together in the hospital. We cuddled, slept, and became familiar with one another. I couldn't wait to show her off- not only because she was mine and beautiful, but also because she looked very similar to me. I was so proud that I carried around a little photo of me as a newborn to show everybody how much we looked alike.

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Keira, God put you in our family as a middle child and I'm beginning to see that HE was right in doing so. You aren't the first-born, nor the last- your in the middle- the person who gets to be a little sister and a big sister. You do an amazing job playing both of those roles and your sisters cherish and adore you just because you're you. You follow Kenli around the house copying her every move while also instigating a few spats- a little sister to the 'T.' You also bring toys to Kaelyn and help her scoot across the floor- a perfect big sister. They love you and know you like no on else ever will.

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My sweet little brownie- you have grown so fast the past two years. I can't believe I've only known you for such a short amount of time when it feels like I've known you my whole life. I can't imagine life without your sweet smile, your spunky demeanor or big brown eyes.

I love the way you hold my hand as we walk down stairs after naps.

I love that you insist on me scratching your back at sleepy times.

I love that you must "read" in bed.

I find your stubbornness enduring. One of the hardest things I've had to do is be more stubborn than you when all I wanted to do was give in.

I adore your Scottish accent.

Oh, your pouty lips-- melt my heart.

You make my days sweeter just by being yourself. Your beauty on the outside is matched only by the beauty I see inside. You will go far in this life because you are one determined little girl who doesn't give in easily (or at all). You know what you want, and you go after it with such great tenacity.

Thank you for being you and letting me be your mommy. My love for you is unconditional and ever-lasting. Happy birthday Keira "Gracie Pants" "Brownie" " Brown-Brown" "Frog." I look forward to our next year together!

Love, Mama

First day of Preschool

So, I've been putting this post off for a week or so- and for a good reason, too.

A year ago, we enrolled Kenli in pre-school at barely two years of age. I thought she'd be ready, but after 8 weeks of our best efforts we pulled Kenli out of the program. We figured she had enough on her plate with a new sister, new room and potty training.

We tried again this year, and boy what a difference a year makes. Now she is three, more independent and much more social. She tells me how much fun she has at pre-school and my mind is still adjusting to these good feelings associated with pre-school. Here she is on her first day of school. I was able to hold back the tears until we pulled up to the parking lot. I was such a proud mama that day.

We were able to spend some time with her on her first day. And just like I figured, she went straight to the baby dolls and parked herself on the couch.
We also had a chance to explore the new playground. Kenli ran, jumped, climbed and crawled allover the equipment. Here's a funny shot I grabbed of that. Did I mention that I was the only parent with a camera out? I kept checking to see if I was being paparazzi mama, and I guess I was the only one. But I don't care, I wanted to remember that day forever!
Kenli's birthday was also that day. Needless to say, she had a busy, busy day. She loved every minute of it. But now I wonder if she'll expect her birthday and the first day of school to always be on the same day.
A quick shot of the birthday girl with her sissy. You can't see it in this picture, but Keira was sporting Kenli's new KU sweatshirt and Kenli tried on her new, pretty dress.

Offended

Like most people in the U.S. not from Alaska, I don't know much about Sarah Palin; but what I do know, I don't much care for. Most of the bad feelings I have about her bloomed last night as I watched her deliver her speech at the RNC.

When she claimed that Obama didn't have responsibilities like a mayor does, I laughed at her. Let's just examine one thing a young 22yr old Obama did fresh out of college. He was hired as a community organizer and he was the only one on staff with a $50,000 budget. Fast forward two years and he is working as one of 13 on staff with a budget, oh say somewhere near $700,000. Yep, looks like he had no responsibilities. I believe Palin was competing in pageants in her early 20s. Put that in your book, Palin.

Something else I've come to realize about our young beauty queen is that she seems to believe in her way or the highway. Now, call me crazy, but I like candidates who listen to people and at least take into consideration what they want before deciding on the action to take. You won't find that with Palin. Nope, if she doesn't like you, you are outta here.

I'm still researching and digging up information, but I find one thing very sick and offensive. This woman, as mayor of Podunkville- I mean Wasilla, Alaska, tried to fire the town librarian because she did not support Palin's administration. And by "support Palin's administration" I mean, she wanted the poor librarian canned for fighting back when Palin ordered her to pull possibly offensive material off the shelves. That, my friends, is a big no-no in my book. The librarian was just doing her job by keeping those books on the shelves. Ms. Mayor has no business deciding whether or not I or my child may read a certain book. I believe that is MY decision. I don't know just who she thinks she is. I understand that she wanted the "expert" in this scenario to pull the books- so at least she wasn't trying to do it herself. But seriously, I'm glad that librarian tried to put her in her place. And of course, since she put up a fight, the mayor tried to fire her. Lesson learned- agree with Palin or there will be trouble. Come on people, we don't need someone like that as America's VP. And let's not even get into her abortion beliefs-- oh no wait- let's do.

This psycho is not only against women's rights, but she insists that if a woman is raped or impregnated by a family member, she is to not have the right to an abortion. AHHH!!! I could just verbally beat her for her idiotic ideas.


I don't want a VP who thinks that because something is wrong for her or her family, it must be wrong for the rest of America. Let parents pull books out of their children's hands- don't let the mayor try to tell you what to do on that one. Let women get an education about their options in pregnancy and let the decision be theirs- especially when there is rape or incest involved.
And for God's sake, don't beat down the better candidate just because you have no platform.

Thank you, and God Bless America

Our Labor Day Weekend

A little Pow-wow fun

The girls loved watching the dancers and Keira even kept beat with her hands. But it was HOT!! I'm pretty sure the back of my pants caught on fire while I stood and watched the dancers. Needless to say, we didn't stay in one spot very long. We got up to visit the various vendors, and for the first time in history I didn't get my beloved Indian Taco. I was still too full from lunch. Matt didn't even get one for me to snag a few bites from (which is always my back up plan). But there's always the Art Show in Lawrence-and they always have yummy Indian Tacos.

We also had my sister-in-law and her little one at our house most of the weekend. Those four Copeland girls are so fun when they're together and they really feed off of each other. We were able to get all four of them in my bathtub and that was a hoot. All of that cuteness splish-splashing in one tub was too much.

See, I told you.

And of course, we almost had a little celebration for Kaelyn. It looked as if she wanted to start crawling, but NOPE. The girl is a tease. She made me get my camera ready, and then she just hammed it up. Little stinker.

And Then There Were Three...

So many meanings to that title. Today, my eldest baby is 3 years old. Three years ago today, Matt and I saw the miracle that made us a family of 3 for the first time. In the next two years, we added two more little girls- 3 in total. 3 is a good number.

Three years ago, I was shaking and crying in the LMH parking lot. My heart was racing as were my thoughts- I was about to endure the scary process of induction. My mind was too focused on the journey and not on the prize at the end of that journey. My husband and mother dragged me into the hospital and I pondered all the ways my life was about to change.

In the immediate future, I would be experiencing what most women call "the worst pain of my life-" I wasn't ready for that change. I enjoyed being pregnant. Now I was actually in the hospital room getting ready to change into the gown I'd be wearing when I met my first born. It took nine months for this moment to arrive, and then it suddenly snuck up on me and went too fast. All this change was overwhelming. But when I was faced with the option of going home without giving birth, I began to focus on the prize.

I wanted to look at my daughter's face. I wanted to see that mystery of a human who had spent the last nine months growing safely in my belly. I needed to hold her. To stare at her. To look her over and count her toes. I needed my baby.

I stayed that night in the hospital and experienced "the worst pain of my life." It became obvious around 1 am that sleep was not in my near future-but pitocin was. The not-so gradual increase in pain sent me into a daze. I said things I don't remember- but my husband reminds me of some obscenities that flew out of my mouth. I do, however, remember one thing said to me- "You're my hero!" Thank you, Matt. That one comment made a big difference, and it's one of the only things I remember prior to that yummy epidural.

19 hours into labor- the man of my dreams came into the room. After the nasty, long needle came out of my back, I instantly felt better. I could finally relax. I could once again focus on my mystery human. Is she a red head? Will she have my eyes? My husbands height? Will she be a teacher or a lawyer? Will I figure out how to raise a child without an instruction book?

My mind fast-forwards 6 hours to the moment I first saw her "cheesy," squirming body enter this world. Her eyes were closed and her face was wrinkled. She looked wet. She looked absolutely beautiful. I screamed and cried, "That's my baby!" as I reached out my arms to cradle her tiny body. My mystery was now lying across my chest, quietly resting with her eyes wide open. "She's so alert," I thought.

We had a few moments together to stare each other in the eyes. It felt as if I had always known her. My past life instantly became a distant memory as I anticipated the new life we'd soon start as a family of three.

The nurses lifted her off of me and I watched as they walked her to the warming table. Somebody pointed out that Kenli had pooped allover my arm. I laughed and thought, "Wow, she really welcomed me to motherhood." Once I realized my daughter was actually here, that change I had feared so much seemed natural and normal. Not scary at all.

Kenli, Matt and I got to know each other better over the next few days we spent in the hospital. I cherish that time. I focused all of my attention on that little girl who was evolving from a mystery to a completely unique human that my husband and I created. She wasn't just a dream anymore, she was as real as real can get.

Over the next three years we watched our tiny little seven pound, spiky-haired princess turn into a petite, red head with tons of spunk. We encouraged her first giggles, army crawl, and steps. We laughed with her when she was tickled. We cried with her when she was hurt. We enjoyed welcoming two new babies with her. We grew up with her.

Kenli, I love you for all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be. I love your caring spirit. Your curiosity. The silly things you say. Your strong-willed spirit. The way you tell me good night. The way you play with your sisters. The way you sneak cupcakes off of the counter, show me that you did, and then wait for my response. You are my firstborn and my first baby love. Your spirit is alive in me and that makes me a better person. Thank you, most of all, for just being you.

All of my love forever and ever,

Mommy

Check out this gal

My sister-in-law showed me this blog yesterday, and I just can't get enough. I'm still going through her many posts, but I wanted to share her wonderful, crafty ideas with you all. The ones I've read are so simple and as one comment on her blog states, "...They are ideas that real women that live in the real world and have a real budget can do!!!!" Amen, sister. The mistreatments will be my first project- I can hardly wait.

I'm going to start off simple- maybe in the dining room. We'll see how a basic pleated look goes, then maybe I'll add fringe one day. Who knows? I pretty much have a clean slate in the dining room since the only color is the tan on the walls and the white trim.

The living room is also a pretty bare- very light beige on the walls and earthy green furniture. There's even a rod left from the previous owners I can use. But that might be too complicated- I really like the simplicity of using the upholstery tacks to hang the fabric.

Anyway, I don't think I have enough of a stash to pull from to make these "mistreatments," but I think I can find some decent fabric and a good price. Wish me luck on this adventure, and I hope you have fun perusing her blog. Enjoy!

Kenli's Special Day

This is going to be a "keepsake" post.

Matt and I decided to start having "special days" with the kids to celebrate birthdays. When her third birthday is approaching, we'll take the birthday girl out for a special day consisting of lunch, fun activities and shopping only with mom and dad. Kenli had her first one yesterday.

We started by taking her to Barnes and Noble to look at 'first day of school' books. We previewed a few and chose one to take home. We need to get crackin' on this book since school starts next week!

Next, we got in the car and asked her where she'd like to go for lunch. "Red Robin," she exclaimed. So we went. Of course she asked for a balloon upon entering the place, but we made her wait for her special treat. She ordered her classic mac'n'cheese with apple slices. As she was finishing, a train of employees carrying balloons and ice cream gathered around our small table and started their clapping and singing. The poor girl looked a bit scared, then embarrassed, but she sat quietly as they placed the balloons and yummy ice cream in front of her. They finished and told her happy birthday, and then she got that spoon and started devouring her treat. The sweet girl added, "I wish my sissies were here. I'll give one of my balloons to Keira." Melted my heart.

We then proceeded to Wal-mart to buy school supplies for Pre-k including: a Dora book bag, water colors, a box of tissues and colored pencils. Mom and dad also threw in a new pair of purple and white (not for K-state) sneakers to run around in at recess.

Next came Kenli's favorite part- Toys R Us. She cruised up and down just about every aisle trying out new toys along the way. We finally settled on an old favorite-baby penguin. It's something she's carried around that store the last 4 times we've been in there, and this time she didn't have to put it back. A small present for our big girl.

Last, but not least, we had to find the first-day-of-school outfit. We headed across the parking lot to Target where Kenli found a pretty, light blue shirt with owls and pink flowers on it and a matching pink pair of pants. We topped it off with a pair of brown shoes with pink flowers on them. She was pleased to see her outfit come together nicely- as was I.

With that purchase, mom and dad called it a day and headed home hoping that our little girl enjoyed her special time alone with us. And seeing how much fun we all had, we decided that this had to become a birthday tradition for each girl.

10 Things That Made Me Happy Today

1) Keira went to bed without a word about ba-ba

2) The girls and I got to play outside with chalk, soccer balls, and strollers-and the humidity wasn't there to make us want to go inside

3) My husband and I played a geography quiz game after the kids were in bed- he quizzed my geography of the U.S. after I made fun of a lady who didn't know if Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, or Illinois was EAST of the Mississippi River.

4) I passed that quiz with flying colors and even corrected a few of his mistakes!

5) I got a yummy Juice-Stop drink during morning errands- I did split this with the older two!


6) I've had my windows open most of the day and it's still nice in here.

7) My sister arrived in Amherst safely- I can't wait to hear about her exploring the city tomorrow.

8) I ate popcorn with my girls on the floor while watching Dora.

9) I rocked my baby before lying her down in her crib for bedtime.

10) My husband said he'll unload the dishes before he leaves in the morning- in other words, I don't have to do it after I get off of here- I can just go to bed!!!

Breaking the habits

I think I'm crazy stupid for doing this, but it had to be done. As of this week, I am breaking each of my little darlings of one of their habits.

(Keira with her post-ba-ba belly. Explains the Buddha nickname).

It all started with Keira and her ba-ba habit. She is 22.5 months old and still takes a bottle in the morning and one at night. Though she's happy with only 4 oz each time, I want her off the bottle. As her mother, I can only assume complete and full responsibility if her teeth turn black and fall out (well I guess Matt would have to take half that responsibility). Yes, I make her (and her sisters for that matter) brush her teeth with Matt or I assisting so she gets all the gunk brushed away, but I do know that milk sits on teeth and rots them away. And I don't want my my brown-eyed beauty to be ashamed to smile.

When she woke a few mornings ago without uttering her usual mantra "I want ba-ba," I took it as a lead to stop ba-ba cold turkey. I offered her cheerios with milk and she happily obliged. All was well until Daddy came home that evening while I was in the other room. The girls ran to him with hugs and the first words out of Keira's mouth were, you guessed it-"I want ba-ba." At 5 in the afternoon? I don't think so dear! But nice try. Of course Daddy said no, but that didn't seem to phase her. She threw a fit for at least 15 minutes.

My darling dear is smart. She knows which one of us is wrapped around her cute little finger. You see, Daddy is usually the one who gets the girls up and ready while I finish getting ready or do my workout. And he is the one who gives Keira her ba-ba. So, yesterday when it was Mama who got up with her, Keira knew not to bother asking me for her bottle. She knows I don't give in easily (on important stuff). She knows I'm just as stubborn as she is (when I have to be).

But I can happily say the girl hasn't had a bottle since I decided she was done. I know she doesn't think she's done, and she lets us know this every night as she screams and cries and throws her body about declaring emphatically that she wants her ba-ba. But eventually she drifts off to sleep and doesn't think about it again- until morning when Daddy gets her up. Apparently, in her eyes, Daddy is associated with ba-ba.

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(Just a cutie smiling on her beloved swing).

While fighting the good fight with Keira and her bottle, I decided that Kenli, almost three, needs to drink out of "big-girl cups" for the majority of the day. She was easy to get off the bottle. Down to one a day at 15 months and completely off by 18 months. But, in hindsight, I think she substituted the comfort of a bottle for the comfort of a sippy cup. The girl would nurse the cup all day and I eventually had to start telling her to slow down on her drinking. Then one day, I'd had enough. I decided that Kenli needed a big-girl cup with each meal or she too would start rotting those pearly whites. I told her that she could still have one sippy cup a day- half full in the a.m. and the other half after nap. We've been doing this a few days, but not with perfection. She is handling the big cup so well and I'm very proud at how she is taking the change. Not only is she fine with it, but she thinks its neat to have her BG cup and meal time. In fact, she's had to remind me a few times at dinner to fetch her a regular cup. I've also stopped carrying a sippy cup for her if we run errands-which means if I'm just taking Kenli with me somewhere, I don't have to take any "diaper bag" items with me. And I appreciate this new stage in her life.

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("Ummm... you don't plan on taking this from me? Do you?).

Now on to baby Kaelyn. She is already showing signs of needing a bottle to fall asleep, and I'm going to stop it right now. I do not want her to develop the same bottle-sleep dependency that I've been fighting with Keira. My goal is to have her off of all bottles by 12 months. It still sounds so early to me, but I think she'll survive it. Just two nights ago, I stopped in at Walmart to pick up two "training" cups. After comparing the different brands and what they offered with their "uniquely designed" cup, I decided upon Dr. Brown's. They have the handles, soft spout, and they are completely leak-proof (yeah!), but my princess just doesn't know what to think of them.

I got home with her two new cups and washed them. Since it was her bed time, I put her formula in the new cup and decided to give it to her. I held her in my arms and put the spout up to her mouth. She took it and tried to suck on it like it was her bottle. She got too much formula in her mouth and pushed the cup away. But I put it back and she just played with it. She rubbed her gums all over it and that was about it. In the time it would have taken her to finish her normal night bottle, the girl had only taken in an ounce of formula from her cup. But she fell asleep anyway and I decided I'd try again in the morning.

When she woke the next day, she only drank an ounce or two. She nursed that thing all day. Seeing her struggle with this, I've decided to give her a bottle in the morning and one at night for now. During the day she'll get the cup- at least until she gets used to it. Then I'll ease her into no bottles at all. We'll see how this goes over. Maybe she and Keira can compare notes about mean mom is. But I know that I'm doing what's best for their health.

Living simply, so that others may simply live

As some of you know, I am concerned with creating a healthy environment for my children to grow up in. I read labels, try to use organic ingredients in cooking, and get a 30 minute daily walk (most days). I'd like to say that I was doing this before it became the "in-thing," but I honestly didn't know much about organic foods or healthy living until it all picked up momentum in the media. I am slowly learning little things here and there that I can add, delete, or just change in my family's life in order to make it better and longer. So, when I encountered a simple spiral-bound book the other day about cleaning the "green way" I decided to give it a few quick glances.

Upon our last weekly family visit to the book mobile, I picked up Green up your clean up, by Jill Potvin Schoff. My original intentions were to use it as a boredom buster on the treadmill and maybe find an easy green-solution to cleaning my kitchen counters, but it quickly became a little companion of mine.

The book opens with something every good book possesses- an opening hook- something that will capture the reader's attention and keep him plugged in. Try digesting the awful news that you are more or less poisoning your family with every chemical you allow in your house. While I'm no chemist, I do understand this startling fact pointed out early in the reading:

"A study by the Environmental Working Group tested the umbilical-cord blood of 10 American babies born in 2004 and found and average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in each baby's blood."

And I also understand what devastation long-term exposure to chemicals can have on the multiple systems that make up the human body. The statistic mentioned above combined with others just as startling persuaded me into wanting to pursue living a "greener" life with more enthusiasm than I originally intended. The fact is, I don't anticipate this being a fad for my family. I plan to slowly implement new and healthier ways to clean my house, in turn giving my family better functioning bodies and better lives. It's more than just cleaning your house with natural products- it's a way of living. You almost have to retrain your brain to think about what you're doing and how it'll affect your family and the earth.

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Once I finished a good chunk of the book, I felt my first task was to sift through the information and create a shopping list of ingredients and supplies I'd need to start this adventure in eco-living. Quite a time-consuming chore, but that's where I had to start in order to get to the fun part. Armed with my list I hit Akins, Hy-vee and Walmart. I probably didn't need all of those stores, but I'm by no means a pro at this yet.

The first house-hold chore I took on was laundry. I chose laundry first not only because it didn't scare me, but because clothes touch our bodies and the chemicals in traditional detergents can penetrate skin. I tried out the laundry soap recipe (1/8 c liquid soap, 1 T. washing soda, and 1/4 c vinegar) and it works just fine. The only tricky thing is trying to stop the cycle at 'rinse' and drop in a 1/4 cup of vinegar to aide in rinsing and softening the clothes. One of these days I'll get around to timing the different wash cycles and set a timer to go off at the start of the rinse cycle.

I took my "simple" approach a step further when it came time to dry the clothes. I decided to save on energy and money- so I line dried outside in my back yard. This was the first time in my life that I dried clothes somewhere other than the dryer or a rack in my room. I actually enjoyed not feeling rushed and taking my time to hang clothes on the line like many generations of women before me have done- although I'm sure a few of those women would have appreciated an electrical dryer. I'm glad that I don't have to line dry, but even using that method once a week can make and impact on the environment.

I view this green lifestyle as an adventure, a process, a journey. I know I can't be perfect with it all, and I'm sure I'll use commercial detergents in a pinch. But I can't tell you how rewarding it is to know that I can make a positive impact on the planet and lessen the toxins that enter my children's' bodies while they're in our home.

I hope you'll find good information and a few laughs as you read upcoming posts. I plan on trying new recipes and techniques in the weeks and months to come and posting my honest to God feelings about it all. And know that if it's easy enough for me to do, then it's easy enough for you to at least try- which I hope you do. After all, we all deserve to live on a healthy planet with healthy bodies.

*pictures are from google

Crazy Panting Flapper

As the video shows, Kaelyn has started what I call, "Crazy, Panting Flapper." She'll stick her tongue out to the right, pant, and flap her arms up and down rapidly. She takes it one step further by playing "Monkey See, Monkey Do" with this trick. If I do it first, she'll begin to mimic in a matter of seconds. She is such a fun baby!!

Here are some pictures I caught of her in the "CPF" act.

Sister Act

Sporting pigtails

These two have such crazy fun together. I can't wait until my littlest peanut can join in the sisterly fun!

P.S. The girl loves her ice cream

New Surroundings

We'vebeen taking walks here and there- whenever the weather permits between rain and heavy Kansas humidity and heat. Other than the park, the girls' favorite walking path leads right to this little pond near our house. It is a beautiful sight. All who enter must walk beneath this willow.

Then stumble upon a little garden that the owners of the adjacent house planted.

And the girls join hands while they begin their search for duckies.

But not before they pose on an old tree stump overlooking the pond.

And I lose their attention just as the duckies swim by on their own family "walk."

We attempt to feed them, but the mama duckie says "let's leave."

So we do the same.