MOM

Alder has taken to starting to call me MOM. Not Mommy, or Momma just plain old MOM. It sounds like a 13 year old with such contempt in her voice. UGH. Why is my baby growing up and why is she calling me MOM??? I want to go back to the days of Mommy.

Advent Calendar

Grandma got the girls Advent Calendars again this year. It is the same kind we had as kids. You open a little door nightly and you get a little chocolate. I remember them being taped to the side of the fridge in our kitchen by the basement door. Cole and I both so very excited for our piece of chocolate every night. Yum!! The girls are the EXACT SAME WAY!!

snow angels

They don’t have the same kind of effect but that does not phase the girls. They are enamored with kids on Frosty the Snowman making snow angels. So they are constantly laying down on the carpet and making “snow angels.”

too early for me

On Thanksgiving Day our Christmas tree when up, even before the turkey was dropped in the hot oil. We were given a fake tree from some friends so we needed to check to make sure all the pieces and parts were included. It only took about 10 minutes and it is all lit and so pretty. It is bigger than we normally buy, but for free how can i complain? So Sunday instead of going out shopping with money I don’t have, instead I stayed home and got out all the decorations and decked the halls. I did not get the tree trimmed that is still in the box to be done maybe this upcoming weekend but the rest of the house is Christmas ready.

dog house

Friday after thanksgiving our friends had a horrible incident. While they were out of state their back shed caught on fire. The fire marshal believes that their neighbors threw a lit cigarette into the trash and that is was ignited the flame. That spread to the fence from there lit the plastic kayak, then the shed that blew out the window and burnt the roof. Lucky the firemen/women did an amazing job and saved the house. We were called because our friends were out of state to take care of their three dogs. Thankfully with Chopper being blind we were able to keep the dogs on the back porch with minimal drama. The girls were in love with the idea of having 4 dogs. We kept reminding that they were not keeping them. We ended up with the littlest of the dogs for almost 3 days. The girls will be sad tonight when they go home and she is not there.

pull up

After Adler turned three and we had to make a mad dash out to buy more diapers, we had a talk. That she is now a big girl and we really needed to stop wearing diapers at bedtime. I know this is mostly my fault as I did not want to deal with it and have to clean up the dozens of messes. Unlike her sister who was potty trained in less than two weeks. Rigby was great and had very few accidents. Adler, on the other hand, took months and there were multiple accidents at home and school. She was still waking up in the morning with a completely full diaper. So I left the diaper (only at bed) last way longer than it probably should have. It has now been weeks since Alder has had an accident at school, she had a dry diaper a few times in the morning, and she turned three. So we started telling her that she really needs to be a big girl and stop wearing a diaper. We put the pull up on and put the potty chair in the bedroom for late night potties. She has been doing it now for 4 days and no accidents. I think she was finally ready and that is what is making this a success rather me trying to force her to do it earlier. She had had to get up normally about 5am to pee. She goes in the potty, but instead of going back to sleep for another hour she comes in and wakes me up. She wants me to clean it up right away and then thinks it is breakfast time. I try to get her to snuggle but that normally only lasts about 20 minutes before she is full blown restless and I have to get up and start the day. Ugh. Keep your fingers crossed that we continue to have success and we can hopefully drop the pull ups soon. ***update since this was originally written. she has had one accident now. I still think that is really good.***

homework folder

Rigby has a homework folder (see her post.) Alder normally gets very annoying once we try to sit and do Rigby’s homework. I have to sit next to Rigby and read the instructions on most pages. So I guess Adler thinks I am ignoring her. So to help combat this I have printed out a dozen or so “homework” papers off the internet for her. I put them in a folder and now she too has homework. Most of hers are coloring papers. Some have some matching, but I try to make them instruction free as I have to dedicate the time to Rigby. She does a great job. She sits still and concentrates and works though each paper scribbling on all of them. She does it with a multitude of colors and really tries to cover the entire character outlines. I know she is not to the step to be able to color in the lines but I am impressed that she works hard to make sure the outlines are all covered and now is using lots of colors to accomplish this. I think this will bode well for her later when she really does have to do homework. We will see.

Monkey Joe's

A continuation of birthday celebration daddy got the girls tickets to Monkey Joes. The premise sounds great. It is an indoor bounce house with arcade. Dad got a deal on Groupon. We went on a Saturday which I knew was not the greatest idea as there would inevitably be birthday parties. And there was about 4 of them. Well it took forever to get in as you have to go through this huge waver process. The supervision was a few high schoolers and the did not really care or watch anything. I tried to direct the girls to bounce in the houses that were less populated. But there were bumped heads and ouches. Alder got lost in one of the bigger ones and I had to go in and get her. The arcade was about 2x as expensive as Chuck-e-cheese. There were lots of tears shed so to me this seemed like a giant bust and we all left frustrated and unhappy. We then hit two different toy stores (GW.) so that cheered us all up a little. After a quick errand for daddy we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. When we got back in the car Rigby and Adler were both very grateful saying thank you for a great day. That was so kind and nice and amazing to hear (they had already forgotten about the tears.)

year of the Dora

This year was full of Dora the Explore. She got a Dora doll that sang happy birthday and gave birthday wishes. She got a mini Dora that has removable pants (I have no idea why but those pants are off more than on) and a baby Dora. She also got a back pack full of Dora hair accessories. One is a pretend curling iron which is a hot commodity at our house. There have already been many a fight over it. She got a few sets of jammies that have room to grow. And a wooden Melissa& Doug fancy birthday cake. Then a Frozen chalkboard and stickers. All are great and all have been used or warn already.

birthday recap

Adler had an amazing birthday. She got a pancake breakfast with extra chocolate chips. Sissy and I sang to her. Then she got to open her birthday cards. Both Rigby and Adler got light up wands. Rigby and I left Adler at home watching cartoons as the had the morning off. She promptly took her light up wand in and woke up daddy and nearly blinded him. (ha ha) they spend time together before her 3 year doctor checkup. At the doctor everything looks fine, except she STILL have respiratory distress, but no meds. (errrrrr) Doctor predicted that she will probably only be about 5’5” about mommy’s height. She then went to school where after nap time she got to celebrate with her 30 other classmates her birthday. They got mini-cupcakes, fancy napkins, and a box full of mini birthday stickers. After school we went to Aunt Kathy’s house for dinner and ANOTHER birthday cake.

happy birthday

can't believe my baby is three.

needy

Adler has been a lot more cling-y these days. I don’t know what has inspired this. I don’t 100% dislike it as I get extra cuddles, hugs, kisses only down side is that not always in the most opportune times. I try to stop what I am doing as I know time is fleeting that she will want me to do any of these things. I cant believe my BABY is going to be three. That is not possible.

pest

Alder can be so stinking good. Rigby and be wonderful, but if you put the two of them together these days they make you want to pull out your hair. One or the other is always pestering the other touching, taking toys, ect…just something to bother. Then the other whines, cries, screams and that is where I want to run away. UGH!!!!!!!

So excited

Adler has really grasped that her birthday is coming up. She is so excited that we will be bringing cupcakes to school. She keeps requesting cupcakes AND a cake for her party. I know that is because she sees me cart loads of home baked goods into my work when it is “birthday” time. She will proudly tell you she is going to be three and hold up her little fingers.

passing it along

I think that Adler is mostly over the cold/virus that we sent her to the doctor (and did not get drugs.) So that is the up side, the down side is I think she passed it along to her sister. Rigby now has a horrible croupy cough. I have been treating it with Benadryl and Motrin same as the doctor suggested. She has not had the fever but the cough sounds nasty. I hope she kicks it soon.

girl friend

One of our friends had a daughter that was 2. She is about 6 months younger than Adler. Both of my girls were up in her face and trying to engage her the minute she walked thought the door. She was more the shy type so it took a little while and a few suckers to warm up but eventually they were playing like best buds. I think this added to the fun of the night for the girls.

Halloween Night

So the girls got dressed up in their Freak Show costumes. Rigby was a Live Fiji Mermaid and Adler was the Tattooed Girl. They went with a Fortune Teller (Grandma) and a Snake Charmer (Poppa) to the local mall to trick-or-treat. They got yet another bucket of candy. Then when they got home mom/dad’s party was just starting to kick off.

MAC counter girl???

I am sitting here working and Adler is playing with her baby dolls. She is playing make up. she is telling me how to put on the foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and to brush her eyebrows in the same direction. I guess she listens to me more than I thought when we do our morning routine.

ghosts

I made the sucker ghosts this weekend for my co-workers. Adler handed me a sucker then Rigby handed me a piece of ribbon and I tied the Kleenex on the sucker and added two eyes. Well they did a fairly good job. There was just enough suckers for my coworkers so I did not have extra for them and I told them this. I promised them if anyone here did not want their suckers that I would bring back home for them. Well Adler probably reminded me this 2 dozen times that if my friends did not want their sucker to bring it home for her, oh, and she wanted a blue one. So very funny.

no medicine

Adler has had a snotty nose and a mild cough for multiple weeks now. I know she is of that age where being “sick” is not that big of deal. But she started spiking a temperature and the symptoms all got much more exaggerated here in the last few days so Daddy took her to the doctor. Now we did not see her regular doctor but one of the “group” we normally have appointments with. Well the doc tested her white count, which was elevated but not markedly so. He sent her home with no drugs. So he got his co-pay and gets to bill the insurance and we got nothing but dismissed. I am not a hypochondriac and don’t believe I am being overly aggressive about wanting meds as I normally wait days to see if the girls can fight the cold on their own but it sure made me mad yesterday when she got nothing and today is looking/feeling worse.

calming down

So we are finally getting to the point we can do a smooth(r) drop off. I take Adler to Rigby’s school to drop Rigby off. We roll down the window and wave good bye to sister. Then we go to Adler’s school and recently she has been carting in a snack. a few animal crackers in a bag or a squeeze so she can eat it at breakfast time at school. These few things make a lot less clingy and virtually no tears. YEA!!!

birthday

We were talking about how Adler is the next birthday coming up. So now she goes around demanding that Rigby sing “Happy Birthday” to her. If Rigby does not sing then Adler will sing for her and “show” her now too. It is so funny. I cant believe my baby is going to be THREE! Where did time go. I love them growing up and becoming the little people they are, but I do miss the cutie baby that I can snuggle with forever. Thankfully Adler is still into snuggling. The other day Chopper had jumped up on my lap wanting a pet and a snuggle. Since he has gone blind he is allowed out all the time to free range as he is no longer aggressive and nipping/biting towards the girls or anyone. Well once Chopper jumped down Adler crawled up on my lap. She did not like seeing someone else get her snuggles. I was eating it up and enjoying every minute of it.

mess maker

Adler can make an absolute mess out of her school shirts. I don’t know what they do but she has come this week an absolute mess. There is everything from lunch to paints all over her clothes. I get most of it out but not all. So any and everything I bleach these days.

blame game

Adler is always wearing her bossy pants. I ask her to give something to Rigby or give Rigby a message. I listen for the relay and it ALWAYS comes off as an order and with full ‘tude. That girl is a born leader…just don’t know if she will get anyone to follow. Love her.

sneaky

last night I was watching a program and Rigby was playing in her room. Adler was on the couch with twist up crayons and a coloring book. She was being so good, both of them were. I was so very happy that there was no fighting , no whining, no crying, it was rare. Then it was bed time and I went in and read stories to them and snuggled them and fell asleep. Then I woke up and went to my adult bed. This morning is see that Adler was not actually coloring, she was twisting out the colors out of the holders. So she had spent that “quiet time” last night was just her being sneaky and tearing sh*t apart.

Bossy Pants

Adler is always wearing her bossy pants. I ask her to give something to Rigby or give Rigby a message. I listen for the relay and it ALWAYS comes off as an order and with full ‘tude. That girl is a born leader…just don’t know if she will get anyone to follow. Love her.

Show Miss Janet

Since Rigby was having picture day and getting the royal treatment Adler wanted it too. So she got a few curls. Since her hair is so limp and thin and I was using a 1 inch barrel it does not even curl much. She also got a smidge of blush and some pink chap stick. She was so jazzed and could not wait to show Miss Janet her lovely new look for the day.

loving it

Adler loved the Halloween décor. She loved to help drag it out and touch everything. OMG. It was annoying but it all got done.

Mc Nab

While attending Literacy Night the school provides babysitters. They are great and do this for almost every event they hold at the school. So they understand that parents can’t be involved without help to watch the kids. Alder was over the moon to go to Rigby’s school. I packed them a homemade lunchable for dinner and juice box. So they got to eat and watch a movie. Alder got to play with the big kids and be with her sister at her sisters school. This was wonderful last night. This morning not so much. The waterworks started full blown when we dropped Rigby off. Alder would not even wave good-bye to Rigby. The crying was continued until I left day care. I am sure she was still crying I just could no longer here it. One of the day care teachers asked what was wrong as she walked in bawling. I explained that she wants to go to the big girl school with her sissy not to day care. Poor girl. Since she has the late birthday she will be at daycare for almost 3 more years. UGH!!!

Daddy Daughter Day

This was not a planned out of school day. it was daddy's little surprise. he must have a had a light work day as he picked her up from school early and they went to a park together and played. it was a lot of one on one time and when she called me at about 4pm she was beaming I could hear it thought the phone.

Is it hot?

So part of the bribe to get the girls to floss and brush their teeth in a timely manor is that they have to have it done before I put my makeup away. They are not anti-brush/floss. They are just SUPER-D-DUPER slow about it. So if they have it done before I put my makeup away then I will put makeup on them. So Adler was watching me put makeup on me then on her one morning and I put some eye shadow on the brush then blew on the brush to rid of the excess and she asked “is it hot?” ha ha ha. I had to laugh then try to explain why I was trying to blow the makeup OFF before I put it ON.

hot tot

You can tell both of my children were born in Florida. They are so warm blooded. They very often complain about being cold at home. Most nights they put on a hoodie or socks with their jammies sometimes both. So when Adler kept telling me she was cold I thought she was nuts we had not even turned down the A/C for the night. It was still only 74 in the house. I just told her to put on her jacket. When she asked me to zip it up I realized she was warm. She ended up with a mild grade fever. We treated it with Motrin/Tylenol combo. This went on for going on 3 days now. She has a runny nose and post nasal drip that makes her cough and gag. I am not ready to run to the doc yet. We are able to reduce or break the fever so I am not overly concerned and she is still eating for the most part. I hate when either one of them does not feel well, but got to build up those immunities.

So Sleepy

I was so tired yesterday. I took everything in my power to keep my eyes open yesterday at work. So after work I put my jammies on 1st thing. We had dinner and then I let the girls play in the pool to help tucker them out. I put them down to bed a ½ hour early. They need it though, they are having a real hard time walking up in the morning. My plan was to go to bed as soon as they were down. Rigby was out and snoring within 5 minutes of the lights out. I am still laying with them to help still them and get them to sleep. When I thought Alder was down and out I tried to sneak out, well she was not out. So I let her lay in my bed. I put a program on to zone out and try to keep me awake till she was asleep so I could move her. I got maybe 15 minutes in and she was still not out and I was fighting every minute of it. So I gave in. I turned off the TV. I figured either I would wake up and move her as some point in the night or daddy would have to when he got home. I could not fight it one more minute.

Me, oh, my that ‘tude

We are getting closer to her 3rd birthday and this kid has more attitude than her sister. She is an evil thing too. Today she stole Rigby’s school shirt and ran off just laughing. She just did not want Rigby to have it. Then the defiance, the yelling of “NO.” the demanding of everything….it is just too much. She gets popped in the mouth, spanked, time out, talked too, everything and that just sends her into tears, but does not deter her at all from doing it again next time. This child is going to be my extreme hellion!!

full circle

In the box from Mam-maw Adler also got a new wardrobe. It was a good thing too as some of the shirts her tummy is starting to poke out from underneath. As I was folding them and putting them away I just kept having this nagging feeling that so many of the outfits looked so familiar. Come to find out there was a reason for it…they were Rigby’s old clothes. They were sent to Illinois after Rigby out grew them, then when Ellie out grew them they were shipped back down to Florida. If they make it through Adler they will be going north again to Michigan for Norah. That is definably a good thing to having all girl cousins.

In a lull

Adler must be in a lull in the terms of appetite. These days it has taken everything to get her to eat breakfast and dinner. We have to beg and barter all the time. She is not underfed and if she is really hungry she will let us know, but she is not eating her actual meals. She would rather snack on, less than healthy, foods. (don’t we all.) I just have to hold true to no snacks between meals nothing after dinner but water. This will hopefully help break this bad habit. I don’t think I/we are the reason, I more blame the daycare. I think they give out snacks anytime they kids want.

Sleeping in

Good news/bad news is now it appears that Adler’s waking time has moved from 5am to 7am. This is good news on Saturday and Sunday. Bad news Monday – Friday. The girls really need to be up and out of bed and sitting down to breakfast by about 6:10a at the latest. We need to be out-the-door by 7:10a LATEST. This gives time to drop Adler off, then go get in line for Rigby drop off, then for me to double back to head towards work. So far this has worked. I try to get the girls to eat something, but I don’t fret about it as both the day care and school offers breakfast free, so if the girls are hungry they have another option to eat and I am sure that they normally have some at home and eat some more at school just because it is offered.

Pool time

We have not been in our backyard pool in some weeks. I know that daddy said he put some chemicals in it before we left for GA but I did not have high hopes for it this weekend when I pulled the cover off. I was pleasantly surprised the water was still crystal clear. Now there was a ton of dirt, leaves, bugs, etc. in it but I scooped a lot of that out. The girls got to get in and splash around both Saturday and Sunday. The water was cool and refreshing and not the boiling hot that it was just a few months ago. We have had a lot of rain and I am sure that is one of the main factors. Since we do live in South Florida we could keep this up almost all year round if we wanted. I don’t want….I will probably keep it up for a few more weeks then deflate and pack it away for another season.

Day care drop off

It used to be super easy to take the girls to day care and walk in the door and they would run towards friends, teachers, and the free breakfast. Now that Rigby is attending Kindergarten and no longer at the day care Adler has become very clingy. I don’t allot much time to drop her off but this new turn of events that is probably a good thing. Today when I could go in and help her hang up her back pack and say good morning with her friends/teachers she clamped onto my leg and did not want to let go. I had to have a teacher pry her off. I don’t worry about her, I know within a few minutes she will be distracted and have a good day at school, but….UGH!!!! I don’t like to see her in tears when I leave.

warm and with someone

I have long thought that the reason that Adler gets up in the middle of the night is that she is cold. As I cover her up well, but she kicks all the blankets off. Daddy tries to cover her up again when he gets home from work and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. lately she has been wearing a hoodie to bed. I think that keeps her plenty warm as she generally sleeps all night long. Now there was also our extended weekend in GA where she slept in bed with Rigby. And last night she “camped out” on the floor with Rigby. I think she likes the concept of co-sleeping.

chalk it up

so for this GA trip I did pack toys and games but there is never enough. Especially after a 8+ hour car ride it is hard to keep them interested. Where we were stating there is a large cement pad with a house up on stilts. So everyone hangs out on the cement pad. There are chairs and tables, and now art work. On one of our trips to the grocery I got an extra-large box of sidewalk chalk that they managed to use/break almost every single piece. There was some fights but for the most part they worked and drew well together.

planes, trams, and automobiles

On the way home from Detroit we had an adventure. Hell, anytime we travel with these girls it is an adventure. We rode in Uncle Cole’s car, then the airport tram (in the sky,) then the airplane, then the bus in FL, then a taxi, before we got into our family car. It was a trip and although we were strung out and tired we got home in time for some pool time and cocktails with our neighbors. Love traveling especially to see family, but always nice to be home.

Robertson showing though

Poor Adler her “Robertson” is showing though more and more these days. We tease this way as both girls got my clumsiness and lack of depth perception. She was doing something in the living room and whipped around and walked right into the book shelf. No matter how funny sometimes these “accidents” are I try not to laugh. That is sometimes impossible. I know how much it sucks when someone is laughing at you when you are genuinely in some sort of pain, no matter if it was self-inflicted or not.

mimic

Adler mimics her sister all the time. I think most the time it is how she has figured out to interact with Rigby. Sometimes it is to annoy, sometimes it is to be just like her (admiringly.) for example, this morning Rigby was at the table and saw me throw something into the trash she thought was a bowling ball. She came into the kitchen and hands on hips asked me what I was doing. I explained the complete intricacies of making breakfast, and she saw me throw an egg shell away. Not even 10 seconds later I had Adler in the kitchen asking me what I was doing. She had struck the same pose, and inflection in her voice. I am sure she heard me explain to Rigby, but that was not going to be good enough.

animals

We hit the Detroit Zoo one day. We rented a little (blue) wagon to pull the girls. This was better than a stroller as they could both fit along with purses and cameras. So there was little to no fighting. The only down side was that for a lot of the exhibits they would have to stand in the wagon to see the animals. Well the girls did not like to wait for daddy to stop the wagon and for him to give the go ahead to stand. So we had quite a few close calls, but no one got hurt. It was a long HOT day but we got to see quite a few animals.

Mariachi

At the Mexican restaurant there was a two piece Mariachi band. Adler was mesmerized she loved to watch them sing and play the guitars. She was not the only one. There was another little girl about 1 yr old that could not tear her eyes from the men either. Rigby was over it by then and not much fun. She filled her tummy with chips and salsa instead.

newest addition

we have talked about Baby Norah almost every single day since she was born. we were so happy to get to go see her and snuggle-buggle her. Adler totally has the baby bug. she loved that baby and we had to keep a close eye on her so she did not mall the poor baby. Norah was held a lot and I don't know if Aunt Meghan noticed or not but EVERY SINGLE TIME she was toting the baby around Adler was reaching up and tweaking the baby toes. Alder just loves that little girl so very much she could not hold it in and wanted to show her any way she could.

back to school

We kept talking all week about Rigby going to Kindergarten. Adler was feeling left out, although she won’t technically make the cut off of September 1st (same as public school) her day care is moving her up to the next grade level. So that means that she won’t make Kindergarten as a 5 year old, but will have to enroll as a 6 year old?!?!? So she is moving to Miss. Emmy’s class. I like this as that is one of the teachers I know and actually speaks to you when you ask her a question and gives feedback about the girls day. This will be an improvement from what we have now.

big Penny

Uncle Cole and Aunt Meghan have a red nosed pit bull named Penny. she is very excitable. with the arrival of two small kids in the mix increased her excitable factor. once Penny got to know us and realize that we were not leaving she was amazing with the girls. the only issue with her is that she does not realize how strong she is. she is a puppy and wants to play and sometimes she can be rough and not mean too. the girls loved when daddy or Uncle Cole would play tug-o-war with her.

jammies to school

When I get home from work a lot of times I take off my work clothes so not to get anything on them. I put on lounge clothes tee shirts and yoga pants. The other day that is what I wore to pick up the girls from school. I get to Adler’s class and the minute I walked in she dimed me out. In front of her whole class and teachers she asked“Mommy, why you wearing jammies?” I told her to shhhhh…but that does not stop her. She just keeps asking. I just laugh at her. It was just a tee shirt nothing that really looks like jammies to the outside world, but she knows it at sleep clothes.

don't trust a fart

Poor Adler she had another bout of diarrhea this weekend. One time she just started to have a complete melt down in the bathroom. I go to her and she was so upset. She had peed and had a slimy poo in her panties. We got it all cleaned up and daddy was starting to shame her for having an accident that I busted in to tell him it was not really her fault, I think she trusted a fart. Well she should not have. Then yesterday again something along those exact same lines happened again. She came to me this time telling me “Mommy, I trusted a fart.” I just laughed and laughed. It was so stinking funny, and I mean stinking literally. We got the poor baby cleaned up and in new clothes.

new bed

Well we did it, we switched in the “new” bed and got another “new”one. Daddy said it costs even more. it is got spring to it along with gel. I still can’t tell you if I like it or not. You don’t feel that much movement so that is cool. I was jumping on it yesterday and flipping and flopping on it when I got home and Jason said he really could not tell. He could defiantly hear me but not really feel it. So that is nice. I can tell you I went to bed at 9:30p with no sleep drugs and slept fine till 5a when Adler started to cry out for mommy. No clue that daddy came home sometime in the middle of the night and crawled in bed. So that was kinda cool. Reserving the right to send this one back for a few weeks. At least there was no vomit on this one yet.

cheater, cheater, BACON eater

I eat bacon a lot of times for breakfast. I cook a whole pound at a time in the oven then just wrap it up in paper towels and pull a piece or two out though out the week. Oh, it is TURKEY bacon. I like it there is none of the wiggle of the fat that regular bacon has but has the salt and protein of regular bacon. I don’t notice a difference, daddy does and he won’t eat the stuff. The girls don’t know it is turkey bacon and will probably be shocked when they do eat regular bacon and realize that mommy has been duping them all these years. Ha. Ha. Ha.

at pick up

The teacher that is always with Adler at pick up is so nice and 7+ months pregnant. She always fawns all over Adler being such a good helper. She asked if she is a big help at home. I kind of chuckled and said that she is always involved, but not always a help. Ha ha ha. She has the best of intentions so I have to try to bite my lip and let her try when we are doing chores. I can only keep my fingers crossed that this “helpful” attitude stays with her into her teen years. I would love to have two of my own mini-merry maids, but not holding my breath for it. 

thief

Adler has become the biggest thief. One night when daddy was handing out his kisses and hugs before going to work. He told both the girls to come and get them. I don’t remember who, but one was dragging their feet, so he told the other that they could steal her hug/kiss. So that began the game. Somehow he always finds one more in his pocket for the girl who got their kiss or hug stolen. Well the girls love it and are always stealing from the other now or stealing mommy’s. Adler now gives hugs and kisses in 2’s and 3’s just declaring she is stealing without even giving the other people the option to claim their kisses. I think Alder has taken Rigby and daddy’s kisses for the next two weeks from me. Ha ha ha. Little does she know that daddy and I are the winners in the game. Xoxo

1st time ever

When Rigby and I returned from her hair cut I knew I was going to be in trouble. As we went without Adler. She met me at the door and started crying and complaining the minute I opened the door. I am assuming daddy told her where we went as I left him a note. Well, she was not having it. She wanted a haircut too. Ugh. I really did not want to have to go pay $15 for her to get just a little bit taken off, but I did. I made her get her shoe on and off I went back to Supercuts. We went to a different one than I took Rigby as I did not want her to get the same hairdresser. Well the 2nd one had over and hour and ½ wait and only one hair dresser. The 1st one had a line when Rigby and I were leaving, but they had 3 stylists so they were turning over fast. So we drove back to the 1st place and guess who we got? The weirdo. She still took forever to take about 2 inches off in the back. I did realize that this was her 1st ever haircut, we did not do any mini sessions at home. So I picked up a locket from the floor and took it with me. She also has a little bob. She looks like she has side swept bangs, but that is more her natural fall of her hair than the cut. She does not have enough anymore for ponies or piggies but I can sweep her bangs back and look super cute. Both wore their hair the same today with bangs back in a barrette that match the outfit. Now if we just don’t lose the barrettes at school.

new bed -christened

The new bed came yesterday. Daddy washed all the linens so it was fresh and clean and ready for bed time. Daddy even got me a new pillow that is the gel/foam like the bed. He has had one for days and I keep trying to steal it from him. So I went to bed, with Adler in her room and Rigby in her room. I heard Adler cry so the sucker that I am I went to get her and let her snuggle in with me. This happens more nights than I want to admit too, but normally at about 3am so I get a few hours sleep by myself. Well last night it was at about midnight that she weaseled her way into the bed. Well at 2:30a-ish she started whining and talking. I did not understand her so I thought she was talking in her sleep. I reassured her that I was right there and wiggled her a little hoping to wake her from her dream. She repeated the mumble 3 more times before I finally understood that she was saying “get sick-y in the trash.” Then I bolted upright, picked her up and ran the 3 steps to the bathroom. Well we made it to tile before she began to vomit. She got most of it in the trash but there was still a mess on the floor. She did not have a fever or anything. She has had this happen before many times so I did not really worry about her too much. I cleaned her up and the bathroom and put her back in my bed to calm her down and get back to sleep. She was restless but laid down. She never really did fall asleep, then about ½ hour later she just barfed in bed. There was no warning this time. In the NEW BED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankfully daddy had paid the extra money for the water-proof cover. As we have a 120 day warranty and can return it but not if it is damaged. So after cleaning up the bed Adler and I went to the couch for the rest of the night. She passed out and slept unmoving till my alarm went off this morning. I on the other hand did not get another minute of sleep. Today I have a headache and back pain. I don’t know if this is brought on by the new and very different bed or if it was the couch.

girly girls

I think there is no doubt about it I have girly girls. It was not my intention to make them this way, but they see mommy do girly things and they want too as well. This weekend Rigby got a mani and Adler got a pedi (the at home version.) almost every day before school we have to do makeup and some days perfume. No, I don’t really put make up on them. I use my makeup brushes and brush their faces and tell them I am adding eye shadow, and blush. I comb their eyebrows and let them use chapstick for lipstick. I have a body spray that is nice and light I give them a squirt on their wrists and one in their hair. They like hair bows (Adler leaves them at school or losses them) so she does not get one daily. Rigby is really into wearing dresses. They love their jewelry and clippy-clops (high heels) but those are for weekends and nights only, not school.

no more monkeys jumping on the bed

With daddy’s back hurting him we decided to go mattress shopping. We talked about a budget range and headed out Saturday. We ended up going to 4 different mattress stores. The 1st bed I really thought I loved at the 1st store was before I looked at the price tag. It was almost 5k and had a layer of diamond dust in it to keep it cool. A.) We are not paying that much money B.) I do not want diamonds in my bed, if I am paying for diamonds I want them on my finger/neck/ears. The 2nd store had better deals, I was jazzed the price was almost ½. Adler was fussy by now, so we got lunch and went home for naps. After naps we were back at it for another 2 stores. Don’t worry we hit “toy stores” = GW, in between so the girls were not completely tortured. The 3rd store the employee was the least knowledgeable and had to call someone every time we asked what a price was nothing was labeled. Everything there was an add-on as well. The overall price was still the lowest. They did not have any in stock and their truck was not coming in till Friday. So we still had till Tuesday to get the same deal. So yet again we walked out. This was not a “brand name store” although I did not want the sales woman to get the commission as she did not sell anything she basically stood around and looked at us then phoned it in. they did have the best deal of the day. On the way home we swung into one last store more on a whim than anything, and glad we did. The gentleman was knowledgeable and was about to cut us the best deal of the day. He also said that store #3 has been known to deliver beds with bedbugs. If that was a sales ploy or the truth it made me decide right there we were not going to be getting anything from them. The girls and I were both over it by then. Adler and I ended up laying on a bed in the front showroom window and watching the cars go by. Now don’t get me wrong in most these stores there were no other customers so the girls were able to run wild for the most part. Getting on and off of beds. Jumping up and down when no one was looking. So we were all pretty tuckered out by the end of day. I don’t even know to this day what bed daddy ended up purchasing. It was down to two and I did not really care which one it was as they were both comfy. I guess I can tell you about it Tuesday as that is when it is due to be delivered. YEA. Best part was Adler was so tuckered out at the end of it she slept in her own bed. All. Night. Long. Win-win!!

happy friday

fridays are fun days at school. it is bounce house day!!!! yea

pockets

Adler was over the moon this morning because she was wearing shorts with FOUR pockets. she thought it was so cool. she told me that she was going to collect money and fill her pockets. I kept asking where she was going to get all this money. she couldnt answer that one. :)

organized

mommy tends to be tidy and likes things a certain way. I have obviously made an impression on Adler as if I just throw things in a general area and don't have time to put it in the specific place. she will tell me "no, no, no it does not go there." then she will correct my placement. she can be just as messy as the rest of them so I don't worry about her being too overwhelmed by her tidiness but I think she has more of a hope than her messy sister to being organized and a clean-freak.

Auntie Bridget

We went to go visit Aunt Bridget last night to drop off her birthday present (today is her birthday.) I tell the girls after dinner to put on there shoes because we were going to Aunt Bridget's and both of them at almost the same time yell "yea, elevator." ha ha ha ha. the things they remember, they remember when we go to visit Aunt Bridget we have to ride an elevator up to her condo. Well, last night Alder was the 1st in the elevator as the fight is who gets to push the button. Alder just pushed the 1st one she saw. It was the help button. ugh....an automatic message came on announcing that the emergency system was being activated and that an operator would be on the line soon. once they answered I explained that a button happy 2 year old had summoned help and there was not an actual emergency.

something wrong

I cant post from work as there is something corrupt on both girls site. I dont know how to fix. ugh!!!#

sparky

so Sparky the fire dog came to the school yesterday. I am still unsure if Sparky is a man in a suit or a real dog. the descriptions the girls gave were confusing. ha ha ha. I guess they talked about fire alarms because Rigby wanted to know where ours were. so we pointed them out.

somthing going on

ugh. Adler is going through some kind of phase. she is a bear to deal with and has almost no appetite (at least at home.) whatever this is I sure hope it passes fast.

I dont know

I dont know if it is phase or Adler is missing her nap at school because she has been a terror. screaming and crying over NOTHING. ugh!!!!

fireworks

we were invited a few places for the 4th. we ended up staying close to home. we went to the neighbors for some excellent food and pool time. by the time the fireworks were to start Adler was super tired. that is almost an hour and 1/2 after bed time and she did not have a good nap. she also had gone outside at dusk time for a little bit and was eaten alive by the mosquitos. so we opted to go home. lucky we live only 2 doors down. so Adler and I came home and crawled in bed and watched the Washington DC fireworks on the tv. they were beautiful, put to music, able to watch in the AC and comfort of our bed. it is not like the 4ths that I grew up with but we have lots of years to create a true tradition with them. Rigby watched from atop a truck so she was jazzed when her and daddy came home. by then Adler was in her bed snoozing so we let Rigby come in our bed and watch the NY fireworks show on TV. :)

screams in the middle of the nite

as usual Adler wakes up some time in the in the middle of the nite. recently she wakes up and stands on her pillow calling out for me. being the sucker I am I get her. well, when I open the doors Chopper rushes in and sometimes barks amd scares her and she screams. ugh!!

dont want to go

daddy announced yesterday that he would not be picking the girls up any more. I think Adler embarrassed him. she runs from him and cries she does not want to go. he hates the sceen so I will have to make sure I can pick them up. this is so diffrent than just a few months ago when the got mad if daddy did not pick them up. ugh

not happy

I guess Adler was not happy this morning because daddy had to drop them off at school. mommy had to go to orientation early. so daddy had to deal with drop off. I am not worried about them as I know they will have fun.

pedi and play dough

the girls have both been whining about getting their nails painted. I don't mind doing it, the part that peeves me is that they wont wait long enough for it to dry and end up getting it on things. errrrrrr!!!!! so I have started to paint their toes then let them play with play dough and it keeps them still in the chair normally long enough to let the paint dry. today Adler is sporting one foot blue one foot pink all covered in multi colored poke-a-dot top coat. Rigby has every other toe pink/red with silver sparkles.

sick or sleepy

yesterday, Adler was being a pest and daddy and I were at wits end. we put her in time out. she got uber upset so much so that she made herself vomit all over the kitchen floor. UGH!!! after the kitchen was cleaned up and the outfit changed we headed out. in the car she fell asleep. we got to the zoo and it was wicked hot. there was no breeze so we were all dripping wet with sweat. there was no splash pad and no misters. I guess we are spoiled and use to these tricks to help keep us cool. so with pink cheeks she dozed on and off in the stroller. by the time we left the zoo we were all overheated. the A/C in the car felt nice. We were now heading home Adler slept almost the entire 2+ hours. Then at about 4p she took another nap for an hour. Then went to bed at 8p and slept till 7a. I did check and she was not running a fever so I don't know if she had a touch of something or what.

pool time

while at grandmas we splashed in the pool daily. grandma had compiled a colection of all size suits that have the floats sewn into them. Adler and Rigby loved them even though they severely road up in the front and back. with these suits they could go anywhere in the pool and jump off the sides all by themselves.

family vacation

out of necessity we had to make a mad dash to grandma and poppa's. while we are here we are planning on doing some activities. we starting by hitting GW (toy store) then to a real Chicago style pizzeria. to our surprise there was a baloon guy there going table to table. Rigby got a Cinderella princess and Adler got a monkey with two bananas. I was personally amased that he could find a balloon into a creature with just a few twists.

sleeping in

OMG. we are going to be in a world of hurt when I get a job. We slept in to almost 8am today. that is lap and luxury around here. I think most of this has to do with our late afternoon pool time. it just tuckers them out. I am LOVING IT!!! I know it wont last but it sure is nice while it does last.

bread lover

Adler loves her carbs. her most reason addition is croutons. daddy and I have been trying to eat more salad. We gave up on store bought croutons probably almost 2 years ago. I make them from the heels of bread or buns or any other break product we have laying around. coat with butter and some seasoning and bake. we store in the freezer so they are always fresh. we like them and they are basically free as they are from leftover other stuff, but we are not the only ones that like them Adler begs for them the minute she sees the salad accoutrements are set out. so I have learned to pack both daddy and my salad with a few extra croutons as we know we wont be the ones eating them.

naked

since we are home almost all the time, both girls have taken to running around naked. well, not exactly naked they do have panties on and sometimes jewelry but that is it. as it is summer and no one but me sees them I let them. today the girls got up and got dressed. then just a few minutes ago Adler asked me to help her take off her dress "cause the alligators are gonna get me." I don't know how being naked helps disguise her from the alligators but I helped her out of her dress. ha ha ha. what a silly girl.

butt-spanking

Adler just came in to me and very sweetly said "please, give Rigby a butt spanking." Rigby was not doing whatever it was that she wanted and she thought she would solve the problem with a butt spanking. I told her I would not spank Rigby, so she pouted. ha ha ha.

bubble guppies

I am sure most of you don't even know what I am talking about. Bubble Guppies are a cartoon on Nickelodeon. I think Adler has maybe seen one or two episodes before. Remember she is not really the TV watcher, like her sister. so we went to the library and got a stack of new books and I let Adler pick out a movie. she choose a DVD of episodes of Bubble Guppies. I can put on the disk and she actually sits still and watches 90% of it. that is amazing for something to hold her attention that long. I am not holding my breath that it lasts, but it is nice to have time to get some stuff done during the day.

entourage

almost everywhere Adler goes these days in the house she is followed by an entourage. this is currently comprised of Minnie Mouse, Woody, baby, Adler the doll, and little baby. they are in the living room, at the table, on the porch, any where she goes she totes the gang along with her then sets them up.

no carry

with my foot still in pain when I put weight on it I cant carry Adler. She has been mostly ok with this. we have to hold hands even if we are walking from the bedroom to the living room. I find this so very sweet. I do break down and carry her to bed after she has fallen asleep on the couch/my arms. Also if she wakes up in the middle of the night. the extra 21 lbs is a killer.

Happy Birthday Norah

At 11:55p on June 2nd Norah Ann Robertson was born. We are told she is 8 lbs 5 oz and 21 inches long with a little bit of dark brown hair. CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE PICTURES. so happy for Cole and Meghan and their growing family. can not wait to hear the birthing story from what I know it took almost 24 hours...one hell of a marathon delivery.

hangin' with family

Adler loved the fact that Ellie was more her size and they could play together. Ellie is shy and very mild mannered ---the EXACT opposite of Adler. ha ha. I guess this made Adler think she needed to speak for both of them. She would order snacks or juice for her. Then everyone would check with Ellie to see if it was what she really wanted. It always was, just funny that Adler thought she had to be the poor girls mouth piece. they had lots of fun playing. I think this week Adler is really missing having friends to play with. now she is home with just me in the mornings. Rigby still has to finish VPK this week. So Adler is over the moon when Rigby comes home after lunch.

doc, take two

so since I had the day off (ha, ha) yesterday daddy wanted me to take Adler back to the doc. the shot of Benadryl is not helping clear up her issues. we are well past 3 weeks with this persistent runny nose and cough. so back we went. we saw our regular doc this time and she prescribed some medicine. I want her to be over it but Rigby has also started a cough and next week we are going to be with cousins all week so don't want to be passing it around. since our pharmacist always give us extra medicine (they don't have the small fluid ounces that is prescribed for Adler.) they tell us to just throw it out. Instead I gave Rigby a shot of it last night and again with Adler this morning. As she was not coughing this morning I probably wont give her any additional. I don't want to over medicate but I do want to knock it out of her system if I can before we have to go 3 weeks with her snotty and coughing.

sleep in

two days...that is all I got. two days where Adler slept in her bed all night long. last night she was up crying for mommy at 3am. I brought her to bed to snuggle and she was asleep in a matter of seconds. daddy was snoring away too. so there I am laying there awake for a good hour before I could finally drift back to sleep. then next think I know I hear Rigby open her bedroom door. I roll over and look at the clock and notice it is almost 7am. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we need to leave for school at about 7:30a. so we are on super duper fast speed this morning. well Rigby and I were, not Adler she was puttering around and taking her sweet time to eat and change and brush her teeth. we still made it close to on time so there was no major melt downs on my part or the girls.

shaggy dog

Adler is a total shaggy dog. she needs some kind of hair cut/shape. I don't want to though as she just still does not seem to have enough for me to whacking any of it off. the only real problem is her bangs they are always hanging in her eyes and they are now down to her mouth and sometimes get in her mouth and food. ugh!!!! what to do...

doc visit

Adler has had a cough but it has gotten increasingly horrible sounding over the weekend. so I had daddy take her to the doctor yesterday. it was all for not, at this point. the doctor told dad that it appears that Adler is almost over this bug and to just give her a dose of Benadryl at bed time to help dry her out. She has a bad post nasal drip and I think that is what triggers the cough. so I dosed her last night and I got to sleep the whole night though. YEA ME!! I did wake up at 3am and wondered if I had over dosed her. I went to listen at her door and heard her snoring. I was back in bed and asleep in a matter of seconds. I like not having to share my side of the bed.

rock stars

today I was in Adler's class putting up her book bag for the day. I saw her folder and was checking to make sure that we had all her creative papers at home. I saw some of her classmates names. one was Mariah and one named Prince. it made me laugh she goes to school with pop stars. There was also a kid with the name of Styles. And I catch grief that Adler is too outside the main stream.

not very nice

Adler is still fussing in the middle of the night. this normally coensides with daddy getting home or decompressing after getting home. so daddy picks her up and brings her to bed and shoves her up against me. that is all she really wants is to touch someone while she sleeps. well last night she was a very fit full sleeper. she was asleep but constantly moving. this is not always the case. long story short mommy did not get much sleep...don't know about daddy. so when it hit 6:30a today we had to get up whether we wanted to or not to start our day. I sure did not want to but so be it. after letting the dog out I set Adler on the kitchen counter and she told me that it was "NOT VERY NICE" that I woke her up. she would just keep repeating that I was "NOT VERY NICE" for waking her up. I just had to laugh right in her face. it was so stinking cute...I did not bring up the fact that it was "NOT VERY NICE" that she kept me up 90% of the night. errrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bug on a rug

so when we get up in the morning Adler still likes to be carried. since I can still lift her I tote her around. first thing we do is go let Chopper out to go potty. then sometimes she will stay there to let him back in. other times she will need to go with me. my next stop is the bathroom to have that early morning pee (I know, I know too much info.) well, she will sometimes accompany me and then she will snuggle up on the rug in front of the sink and wait for me to pick her back up again. it is so stinking cute.

2 modes

Adler only seems to have two moods these days 1.) snuggle and hold (this one I mostly love) and 2.) cry baby. this girl can wail for well over 10 mins. after a few minutes I like to go back and quiz her and see if she even remembers why she is crying. sometimes she is tired, sometimes she did not get her way, sometimes the wind hit her wrong. but the funniest part is she can never answer why she is still crying and caring on.

my twin

so funny Adler's teacher called her my mini twin today. that is funny as she does kind of look like me at that same age. the best part is that she speaks like me. she says the thing that I say and sighs like I do when I get exasperated with her. she kills me as I see her mimic me. which is not ALL bad but is not ALL good either.

wah-wah-wah

i dont know if it is school or just her age but she has turned into a real whiny baby. she no longer asks for things she just whines and cries. daddy and i tell her all the time to stop crying and SPEAK! most the time it is something easy like juice, or up. i know she is in a very transitional phase right now, but this cry baby act has GOT TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the great cornholio

if you don't know it google it. Adler has now taking to pulling her shirts up like the great cornholio. to my knowledge she has never once seen an episode so I don't know where it comes from. today I told her go and put her shoes on and she came back around the corner with her shirt all pulled up on her head and is laughing dementedly. this kid is going to have one sick sense of humor.

doing well

i cant say it enough how different my girls are. Rigby took a matter of maybe 2 weeks to potty train and then there was an accident here or there but she caught on right away. Adler gets the concept but just does not seem to give a crap. she does well and we send her to school in big girl panties but there is normally at least one accident a day. sometimes that could be a juice spill because they do not use sippy cups at school. i can take her to walmart and GW shopping all day in big girl panties and she does well no accident. then sometimes at home EVERY SINGLE TIME she goes in her pants. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Bossy Pants

I think Adler is going to be a type A personality. She loves to be in charge and be the boss. Give her a job, other than to pick up Rigby’s room, and she is on it. I think the only reason that she is not good at picking up Rigby’s room after the two of the DESTROY it is that she does not know where to start. When I go in and sit on the floor and tell them to put this toy in this bin, and that kind of toy in that bin the sorting and putting away is done quickly. She also likes to “remind” Rigby how things should be done. Adler is always my parrot. When I tell Rigby to “eat up” or “put on her shoes.” Adler goes around bossing Rigby around and telling her to “eat up” or “put on her shoes.” Funny, but Rigby does not see that she starts to argue with Adler telling her she is NOT the boss.

so animated

Adler makes the ABSOLUTE BEST faces when she is telling a story. it can be a story about anything, recently it was about a girl at school, Isabella. Isabella did something that got her in trouble and Adler made about a dozen faces when telling the 5 second long story. I wish I could capture them all for posterity's sake but they are so fleeting. I hope this does not change as she grows older. I love how expressive she is.

Easy on mom, kind of

Sunday Adler disappeared. I thought she was back playing with Rigby and Rigby thought that she was up playing/cooking with me. So when Rigby came looking for her and she confirmed that Adler was not in her room, then I got a little worried. So we both went looking for her. Adler must have been sleepy so she went in her room and laid in bed. I scooted Rigby out of the room and got her distracted on a project to try to keep her quiet. This was a good thing for Adler, BUT it was only about 10a. which is hours before it true naptime. Ugh. She went the rest of the day fine but about 5p she again disappeared and started sleeping in her room. I let her have 20 minutes then I woke her up. It was way too close to bedtime and I could not risk her being up all night. I will let you know that I might as well have dipped her in hot oil the reaction I got when I woke her up and the crying and screaming went on and on for a good 10+ minutes. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all about Poppa

Adler is a Poppa's girl. both grandma and poppa came down for a quick visit and dinner last night. when we loaded up in the car and headed out to the restaurant Adler kept notifying us that she wanted to be by Poppa. she wanted to sit behind him in the car and next to him at the restaurant. only Poppa could get Adler out of the car she threw a fit, when I even tried.

bubbleing geyser

Since returning to school Adler has picked up a snotty nose. there are no other real symptoms of anything more major. boy, oh boy, does that mucus run freely. i have taken to keeping Kleenex on all kinds of low surfaces so she can access them. she actually does a really good job of wiping her own nose. of course that normally means there is some kind of reminate on her face or cheek somewhere so that is where i am tying to instill that she needs to use a second Kleenex.

biten

daddy has had to sign paperwork notifing him/us that Adler was hurt at school. She has been bitten 2-3 times now. whomever this kid(s) are they do it right. they sink in the full uppers and lowers and leave a mark. so far the skin has not been broken, but there is a very defined red bite on her arm/leg for days. this weekend she was pintching and twisting both her sister and I. I told her if that is what she is doing at school I understand why she is getting bit.

not so timid

So we went to chuck-e-cheese last night for dinner to celebrate Rigby's birthday. This time when Chuck (mouse) came out to dance and play with the kids Adler was interested. She did not go running but she did want to look and be close to see what he was doing. Last time she was burying her head and crying. So this is progress. The 2nd time the mouse came out she even danced - standing between mom and dad at a distance but she danced. I don’t really care if she ever learns to love the mouse. But I do want her not to be scared of the big ugly character animals.

Chernobyl

Not that I am at all surprised but Adler had a complete break down when she couldn't open presents or blow out the candles on Rigby's pancake. I did not give in and give her a present I did light her a candle and let her blow it out on her pancake. every little thing this morning has dissolved into tears. keep your fingers crossed that once she gets to school the mood improves.

Easter Bunny Lives

Sunday morning we got up and girls ran out to see the presents on rhe table. daddy and I shouted that the Easter bunny must have been here. Rigby then saw a letter in the mail box. which read "Rigby and Adler go outside and see what the Easter bunny left you." there were more than a dozen presents hanging from the branches in the tree. there were also a dozen eggs stuffed with candy lining the driveway. we have asked all our friends and coping to it. so it is still a mystery.

good girl

when I picked the girls up I got to talk to one of the teachers/helpers. she said Adler was such a good girl. always wanting to show the teacher this or that. good to know she is good and is well liked.

good day

by all accounts Adler had a good day at school. daddy said she had a juice spill accident so an entire wardrobe change was needed. they dont use sippy cups so although this is not a new skill...it is one she has not mastered. we stll use sippy cups for both girls at home just to reduce the spills.

big day

so Adler is going back into the daycare system. she was super excited last night when I told her she would be going to school. still this morn ing she was really pumped. I am expecting tomorrow will not be as smooth. today they got there in time to eat breakfast (mind you, they both already had a bowl of ceral at home.) Rigby took Adler under her wing as was introducing her around as her sister when I snuck out.

kindest kid

this weekend our neighborhood had their annual Easter Egg Hunt. as always we showed up almost 10 minutes early and the excitement melted away as they had to stand and look at the eggs and NOT touch them. once the master of ceremonies shouted "GO!!!" Adler was out of the gate and picking up the colorful eggs. There was a large grouping right in front of her so she was on a roll. I was able to snap a few pictures of her then off to keep up with Rigby. Well daddy said that Adler was the kindest kid at the event as she was picking up the eggs and putting them in OTHER peoples baskets. ha ha ha. She got plenty and had fun doing it. after the collection time was over we opened a few eggs looking for a piece of chocolate to let each of the have some then off to play in the park.

hot / cold / warm

last night was the 1st time in over a week I think that Adler woke up in the middle of the night (1am-ish) and cried out to come sleep in bed with me/us. believe you me I don't miss her hogging the bed. I am pretty sure though that is comes down to temperature. She normally wakes up when she is cold and if I try to just cover her up she stands up and cries. I put her to sleep with two toddler sized blankets. I think she goes to bed warm, gets hot when she sleeps then kicks the blankets off, then the sweaty hot mess then freezes as time goes on. I know during nap time when we wake her up she is dripping and hair is sopping wet. I also know that when I pick her up her up in the middle of the night her fingers and toes are ice cubes. I know sometimes daddy tries to go in and cover her up. the danger there is if she hears you open the pocket door to her room that is just as good as an open invitation to our bed. I cant leave the pocket doors open as we let Chopper out at night to eat and roam the house. UGH. I have to figure out the right blanket to baby ratio to get a good night sleep.

make me laugh

I went to an interview in the early afternoon. I slipped out without either girls realizing, it is the only way to leave them. if you tell them bye they cry and want to go with me/us. when I get back the girls are ALL WOUND UP. they were beyond silly. Adler put on a random ball cap and was grabbing her crotch and yelling "I am a baseball team." daddy and I just yucked it up as we have NO idea where this came from but it was so simply silly there was nothing you could do but laugh. this kid is so funny!!

pack it away

this girl is CONSTANTLY complaining about being hungry. she normally is a snacker...but I think it has gotten worse lately. I am constantly trying to find healthy things that she will actually eat that will hopefully fill up that belly. She is a lot less picky than her sister so she is easier to feed. her downfall is that she almost only drinks apple juice. yes, I water it down, but I cant get a plain glass of water or even milk into her. she frequently complains about headaches or tummy trouble (pooping) and I am constantly preaching about how if she would just drink more water how much better she would feel. ugh!!!

nose job

today I was sitting in the living room watching the Sunday Morning news. The girls were playing on the porch. I heard Rigby say something about a bug. Then her with her shadow (Adler) run into the house and straight to the bathroom. as soon as they entered turn right around and run back out. next thing I know Rigby came to show me a wad of toilet paper claiming there was a huge bug in it. I did not care to see it at all and I told her to go and flush it. Next thing I know Adler is picking her nose and wanting help. I told her I cant help her pick her nose her boggers were her problem, as my fingers were too big to get up her nose. then she would say something and it took me a while to translate but once I figured it out it was "toilet paper." she had taken a wad of TP and shoved it up her nose. I got the flashlight out and looked and it was WAY up there. I could not have gotten it with a pair of tweezers. this made me flashback to my brother,the green bead, and the mad dash to the ER parking lot. Ask Cole or mom for the full the story. Adler was not having trouble breathing and it was only TP so I was not freaking out. All I could think of to do, right or wrong, was flush it out. I got out the baby snot sucker and filled it with water. it took two tries but I flushed the TP out. Adler was PISSED off at me. I assumed that the TP went down her throat and into her tummy but just a few minutes ago Adler sneezed and it was a giant amount of snot and a wad of TP. gross!!! hopefully this helped her learn the lesson not to shove things up her nose.

almost long enough

I can now put 95% of Adler's hair in a pony. her bangs still flop out they are just not long enough yet. yes, the pony does stick pretty much straight out behind her head but it is all pulled back. so stinking cute!!

love to listen

I love listening to the girls when they don't realize I am. today was too freaking funny. I was at the computer looking up a recipe for dinner and Adler was playing with her princess castle (dollhouse.) I heard her say "help me out here, Joker." I turned and asked her if she was talking to me or her toy. I was dying lauging on the inside. Rigby started shouting for something from the other room and totally distracted Adler and she forgot what she was saying and whom she was talking too. this is just one example of the randomness heard around this house. they CRACK ME UP!!!!

a little green

I was talking to the girls telling them today was actually St Patrick's Day. We celebrated with parades, bounce houses, ect...last weekend but this is actually the day we are to wear green. I said something about the Leprechaun pinching us if we did not wear green. well Adler got obsessed. she kept pestering me till her, Rigby and I were all dressed in green. so funny!! Mam-maw got me some very cool/creepy vintage Leprechaun a few years ago that I set out as decorations. I think Adler thinks that is who is going to start pinching if we don't dress in green!!!!!

St Pat's parade

we ventured out to the downtown St Patrick's Day parade. It was nice. the parade seemed quite unorganized but the girls did not notice. Adler was the cutest she just waved and waved and waved. her wave is very delicate and like a princess. so cute.

NO SORRY

If Adler and Rigby are playing and Rigby does 'something' and hurts or upsets Adler and Rigby knows it, and she is in the wrong she will immediately start saying "sorry." Sometimes Adler is NOT having it and will start screaming at her "No, Sorry!!!" she won't accept Rigby's apology and makes that emphatically clear. This does not stop Rigby from chasing her down and shouting "sorry" at her. While, red faced, Adler screams louder and louder "NO SORRY!!!"

booger monster

Adler has had a snotty nose lately, which leads to crusty boogers. well, she seems to think it is so funny to pick her nose then offer it to you like it is some kind of treasure. I keep Kleenex out where she can reach it and total encourage her to use them (trying to stop her before they are used just for play.)

homework trouble maker

the second part of homework time that is very frustrating is Adler. she wants to be in on the action. she mimics me telling Rigby what to do, which frustrates Rigby. Adler also has to be on my lap, or touching Rigby's papers, or just injecting herself into the action. I try giving her, her own homework or a special project or something to entertain her, but that is not well received. she just wants to do what we are doing. this makes me want to scream. this is why I have more and more gray hairs popping up daily.

one day suspention

it happened again today, there was a fight over the bead game. if we get to the point of fighting over a toy/game/anything that we cant resolve in a matter of 30 seconds or so they loose it. the toy/game/ect... then it is put up for 24 hours. this is normally a cause for a bigger melt down but proves my point, I THINK.

springtime fun

the mall sponsored event was fun. one of the best laughs of the day was Adler planting her plant. I had my hands full with the two wooden vans we had (half asses assembled) so the Lowes worker was trying to help. we got Adler to put the dirt in the terracotta planter and then after way too much instruction got her to poke a hole in the dirt. then the worker handed her a little starter plant and told her to put in in the hole, and she did. she put the green leafy part in the hole and the roots exposed. we all laughed then helped her correct it with a better explanation. later when the girls got up in the Waste Management (trash truck)the workers had to help them get up in the truck. my hands were full I could barely take pictures on my phone. Rigby could honk the horn, but no matter what Adler could do she did not have enough "oomph" to get the truck to beep. all the workers and I were encouraging her but after about a dozen tries we gave up so the other boys and girls could try.

doctor visit

we went to the doctor today. Rigby still has a dry cough with a wheeze and Adler has developed a wet cough. these are most prominent at night. Rigby is getting on a new and different antibiotic and Adler will be on the same. it is not only for lungs but sinuses as well. ugh. Daddy woke up this morning and is pretty sure he caught it from them too. he is miserable and run down but has a new handyman client today otherwise if it wasn't going to ruin a new relationship he would have begged off this morning. thankfully he has the afternoon off so he can hopefully rest up. keep fingers crossed I don't get it as well.

'tuck

we had our 1st real day of snow play. it was a beautiful sunny day with no wind so perfect for building a snowman. there were drifts in the yard that were about mid-thigh on mommy. Adler was having fun but she would fall and get 'tuck (she does not say her "S's" so she does not really say Stuck.) she would fall and then you would hear her shout out for help. so stinking cute!!!!

treatsies

while we were here in Illinois I did not know how things would go so I packed Adler's training panties. well yesterday there were friends and family that were over at the house but Adler ran around in a fleece shirt and panties and all day she only had ONE accident. with all the activity, people, and 'new' toys I was VERY IMPRESSED there was only one accident. the worst part is that she would potty then run though the house with the pee or poo and come looking for me and show everyone along the way. we would all hold our breath hoping she would not spill!!!

loss

At the age of 91 God called home a great man, Charles Decker. He was a very important person to so many. I am glad to say I know him and that he got to meet and hold my girls. I know daddy is much more devastated by this news (although it is not a giant surprise, we knew his health was failing) than he will ever be able to fully express. Rest In Peace, Charles. Keep a watchful eye out over our family from your place in heaven.

costume world

so far every day this week Rigby has asked to get dressed, I agree, then she goes to her room and strips to her panties then come back out and asks me to get a costume out for her. today it is a witch. Adler is always quick to follow but the dress up does not always last so long with her. today Rigby was a witch and Adler was a pirate. to add to the costumes I busted out the tattoos. Adler got a pirate flag on her forearm and Rigby got frogs (from The Princess and the Frog) as I did not have anything else 'witch-like.'

chatty cathy

I am pretty sure Adler is a morning person. she starts the day (normally in our bed) rolling over and saying 'I need juice' or 'somefin' to eat.' it does not stop there she is talking a mile a minute from then on. she pretty much does not have much to say so she just narrates what we are doing and comments on things. how dark it is out side, what Chopper is doing, what the breakfast options are, ect.... I am not a morning person and sometimes this morning diatribe is very taxing.

out of your mouth

Adler is way past the toddler stage of putting things in her mouth to explore. now she just puts things in her mouth-I think- as an oral obsession. 90% of the time it is her thumb. we are trying to break the habit but it is not like we can just throw it away like a pacifier. now it can be anything toys, paper, clothes, ect...so we are always reminding her that only food goes in her mouth. last night the girls were playing in Rigby's room and daddy told her to take something out of her mouth. then he asked her if she was going to keep it [stuff] out of her mouth and she very plainly says "no." daddy and I both sarcastically reply "at least your honest." it was funny to us not so much the girls.

needy

Adler's new favorite phrase is "I need you." this is cute the first few times you hear it, but when she is already in your arms and just keeps saying it on repeat it gets on your nerves. there is nothing more you can do for her as she does not articulate what exactly she "needs." I know this is also part of the separation anxiety from us leaving them for a few days. she has always been kind of clingy, but now it is on super drive. funny thing is grandma and poppa said they might mention us, but they were not pining away for us while we were gone.

the mother load

Adler got a box full of shoes from mam-maw the other day. I washed them and sorted them. Most were just her size right now. I put them in her shoe drawer this morning and she saw me. I will tell you she was in heaven and spent quite a long time on the porch trying them on one then the other. this girl has a shoe PROBLEM!! :)

head tramua

oh my! I was in working on the computer and I heard a thud then a short cry and then silence. that is when I knew to get up and go find her. that silence is the calm before the storm. Adler was playing in Rigby's room and THANK GOODNESS the bed was made, because she had some how fallen and hit her forehead on the platform bed. if the quilt was not over hanging she would have wacked her head right on the edge and probably split it open and had to get stiches. it was instantly purple/red. I tried to get her to hold a cold pack on it for awhile but she could only hold it for a few seconds at a time. I did give her medicine to try to combat the headache I was sure to come. she was very needy/clingy for the rest of the day. today she is back full of piss-n-vinegar with a big yellow/green/purple egg on her forehead.

kids...so literal

this morning I was trying to encourage Adler to go potty so I told her to go "hit the frog" so she did just that. she walked over and HIT the frog potty. then turned and smiled at me and said "I hit the frog." I just laughed.

room for piggies

not sure where she picked up the habit, maybe daddy, but after you put on her socks she has to adjust the socks for toe room. so she has to place the seam so it is not resting right on her toes. she has become quite particular with this habit and will remind me until I now take this extra step for her. I cant really say much about it as I wear my socks inside out as I don't like the seam rubbing on my toes either.

sunrise wedding

we were invited to a sunrise wedding this morning. i decided to go as it was planned to be on the beach and i thought that the girls would like to go play in the sand then thought that there would be cake. how would that be a bad way to spend a morning. well it rained (poured actually.) so it was crammed into a hotel reception area. it was lousy. you could not really hear and from where we were you could not really see. so the girls were restless but since it was so noise anyway no one noticed them. after the ceremony there was cupcakes then we actually went to a local restaurant and had a good breakfast. the girls had pancakes and they were delish but talk about a sugar high after all that!!

no one is safe

Adler has conquered the door nob, for the most part. sometimes she has troubles and it can take 10 tries but she eventually cracks it. especially if Rigby is trying to potty by herself. something about that drives Adler over the edge and will try and try and try to open the door. if it unsuccessful she will knock, loudly. if that also gets no response and the door still wont open she has been known to lay down butt against the door and kick with both legs making as much noise as she possibly can. ugh!!!

don't work

Adler has taken to screaming "don't work, don't work" every time i go in the den/her room. i did not really understand what she was saying the first time. now that i have deciphered her message and that she does not want me to sit at the computer it makes me feel horrible. i have to continue to look for a job because that savings account is dropping rapidly. i cant really do it at nap time or after she goes to be as the computer is in her room. ugh!!!

man van

so at the Unity in the Community event (see Rigby's blog) there was a Man Van that usually travels around to do 30 minute check ups. at the event they were actually doing wellness checks. we skipped these while we were at the event in the morning but as we talked about it on our way home we thought it would be a good idea to get it done. daddy had to do some work so if he got home in time we planned on heading back to the event. we got back at about 3:30p they were tearing down most of the booths and almost all the give always were gone, but the man van was still there recruiting people to do wellness checks. we filled out a bunch of paperwork then got weighted and measured then they drew about 8 vials of blood. mommy and daddy both did it. Adler had to sit on our laps when we were getting blood drawn and asked about a dozen times if it hurt. with me she had her nose almost an inch away from the needle and was SO VERY interested. when i was finishing up i asked her if she wanted to be next. she nodded her head and suck out her arm. what a brave and intrigued little girl. maybe she will want a job in the health care field!?!?!?!?!?

pain in the choo-choo

if you don't know we call the vagina a choo-choo at this house. the other day i was working on the computer and Adler came in and told me her choo-choo hurt. well she had on cloth training panties and they were sagging quite low in the front. so i assumed that she had poo/pee in them and that was irritating her. i told her to come closer so i could check. to my surprise there was a wooden block, a comb for my little pony, and a bracelet crammed into the front of her panties. no wonder her choo-choo hurt all those pointy objects in there. OUCH. i removed the stuff and reminded her that her panties were not like a pocket or purse and that there is no need to stuff things in there. she was leaving the room and before she could get all the way out she turned and said her butt hurt. I looked and there was a dolly hairbrush in the back of her panties. my choo-choo and butt would hurt too if i had all that crap stuffed in my panties. what a silly girl.

pretty girl

I try to compliment BOTH girls to help them know that they are beautiful, amazing, wonderful, and pretty. when i ask Adler "who is my pretty girl?" she shouts back at me ADLER!! no lack of self confidence with her. I can only hope that sticks.

no cries for mommy

Grandma said although they have their hands full with two littles while we were out on date night there were no cries for mommy. when i am here at home Adler cries for mommy for every other little thing. good to know that when i am away she is not a complete terror because i am not there. that makes me breath a little easier for the up coming vacation away from them.

Rrrrr...me matey!!

for Pirate day Adler's outfit was the one stumping me. I could always dig something out for Rigby, but Adler did not have anything. So i had to put my thinking cap on. Although it probably took me over an hour to find it i knew some where in this crazy house i had some felt and iron on backing. so after digging and reorganizing 4 huge drawers of craft materials i found it. then i just roughed in a skull and cross bones like on the shirt Rigby was going to wear. Then a little cutting and ironing and she had a pirate shirt. In all the digging i also found a scrap of material that she could use for a bandana. she only got a 'stash as i was sure she would be sucking her thumb at some point and that would just make a big mess if she got a soul patch too. she loved the dressing up part and running around and shouting at us "Rrrrrrr....me matey!!!" when we actually got to the event she was whiny and clingy. I am sure some of that was the crappy weather and the rest was the fact it was nappy time. so she was really kind of over as soon as we arrived. she spent most the time being held by either mommy or daddy.

no mouse

(see Rigby's blog for full back story...) So Adler loved having soda, playing games, running around and touching every button. when that mouse showed up though, she cried and wanted to melt into the wood work. daddy held her shaking body while we watched Rigby dance with the over grown rodent. I am sure it is that age I remember when Rigby met Elmo at about that age she wanted to run in the other direction ASAP. Adler will still say "no, say hi to the mouse." she is still kind of freaked out by it and wants nothing to do with Chucky. ha ha ha.

hardest job

one of the hardest jobs around the house is trying to keep the girls quite while daddy is still sleeping. i know most days i fail miserably. Rigby is usually content when the cartoons are on, but once they go off the bickering begin. if they aren't bickering and fighting they are playing and running. playing = yelling/screaming/laughing/ordering each other around in their loudest voices ever. there are a multitude of other loud things they do. this is also when i try to get a jump on the job postings and send out resumes.

mooch

Adler will beg for food from daddy and mommy. it does not matter what we are eating she will ask for a bite. we generally always give her one. i think this is one of the reasons that she has a much bigger food profile than Rigby. she will eat salad, tacos, pork tenderloin, and much more. if you offer a bite of any of those to Rigby she would make a face and flat out refuse.

TERROR

oh my! oh my! i thought the 'terrible two's' hit at about 1 1/2 for Adler but they are going FULL FORCE right now. she spends most of her day tormenting her sister. she pinches, hits, bites, and pulls hair mostly for effect, sometimes because she does not get her way. therefore, she spends a lot of time in time out. too often she does it to get a rise out of Rigby. Rigby ALWAYS screams and cries like someone is torturing her so if Adler is looking for a reaction she ALWAYS gets one.

shoe fetish

like almost every night lately Adler makes it into our bed around 1-2ish am. this morning though around 4am she stirs so i try to move her closer to me and away from daddy. then she starts yelling that she "needs to put on shoes.' daddy stifles a chuckle and i try to wake her up and tell her that we don't need shoes that it is the middle of the night.

never fails

it NEVER fails that when i take one or both girls to the GW someone always poops. i can make bets on it, it is that consistent. yet again yesterday we take a spin around we are not there 5 maybe 10 minutes and we find ourselves at the toy section. She plays and I look at shoes and handbags (near toy section.) i tell her it is time to move on and continue to look and pick her up and this is when she discloses that she has filled her pants. ugh. so have to roll the stinky baby and the cart to the front. ask a cashier to watch the cart. then promise i will be back to shop but first i have to take care of a diaper issue.

helper

yesterday after taking Rigby to school daddy decided to make a batch of sauce. as our freezer supply was gone. we already had all the ingredients on hand so it was time to brown up the meat and dice the onions and mushrooms. we have a dicer that all you have to do it push down and it cuts the veggie. Onions are hard as they are a tougher consistency so i had to do those but the mushrooms are easy and this is normally Rigby's job. yesterday Adler got to do it and she was over-the-moon to be in the kitchen helping.

zip

yesterday Adler and I hit up the GW. as tradition dictates with both of my daughters she filled her diaper soon after arriving. so i had to ditch the cart and change her diaper. lucky she is a good sport about it. what really surprised me is when we were in the dressing room i was trying on a dress for work/interview and it had a big zipper in the back. she declared that she wanted to zip it up so i squatted down to let her try. she was able to zip the whole dress up for me. after appraising myself in it she was then able to unzip it for me. i was impressed and told her so, she acted like it was no big deal.

play to me

since Christmas I have kept some of the weebles and accessories in a basket in the living room. in the early mornings or after Rigby goes to school Adler is always begging for me to "play to me." which means I have to get down on the floor and make up situations and stories to play dolls. the best is one time I said something about pooping in the potty (trying to get her to try.) well that is a VERY popular theme these days now if only she would take the hint. ugh!

sweet and salty

one day while Rigby was away at school i was home with Adler and daddy and got a wild hair to make chocolate covered pretzels. Grandma left them so i thought i could induldge. YUMMY!!! When making them Alder thought that she just HAD to help. It was already a messy adventure so I fed her a few to keep her happy and somewhat involved without actually having to let her make any. well, she is hooked with the sweet and salty affliction just like mommy. so now m&m's or sweet-tarts are no longer good enough for pee-pee treats. now when we are trying to encourage her to potty on the frog (potty chair) we are sweetening the 'pot' with a chocolate covered pretzel. FYI>>> Rigby was feeling very left out that she was not getting pee-pee treats like her sister so i told her that if she writes her ABC's that she too can have a pee-pee treat. sometimes this is enough for her to stop harassing me for a treat. sometimes this is just enticement for her to sit down and write out her alphabet. win-win!!

creepy kid

Adler sleeps though some nights and these are great nights. other nights she still wakes up and calls out to mommy just want to be brought to bed to snuggle. well two nights ago I took some Benadryl to help sleep. it must have knocked me out as I did not hear her cry out if she did or open the pocket doors. I did hear the whisper of "mommy" that was less than 2 inches from my head. creepy to open your eye and see a face 'right there' staring right back at you.

help please

Recently Adler has started asking for help eating her food. this mostly comes into play with soft foods (ice cream, yogurt) or cereals. I think this is because she ends up dumping all of whatever does make it on the spoon on her front before making to her mouth. sometimes it seems fruitless getting the spoon to her mouth empty or virtually.

mystery

i have no idea what happened. i put Adler to bed a little after 8p. like every night she 'nuggled with me in the living room until she feel asleep. i take her into her room and lay her down and shut the doors. for the last few nights she has not made a peep till about 5:30a-6a. it has been super nice. last night though i heard her fuss and yell out for mommy. so i know there is no problem but when she gets insistent and starts yelling my name (mommy) that she wants me to come get her and 'nuggle in bed with us. so on automatic i come to her room and open the door but she is not in bed. she is on the floor wrapped in her blanket. so i know if she purposely got out of bed and curled up on the floor (something Rigby would do) or if she fell out of bed. I am assuming that if she fell out of bed there would be crying and screaming even if it did not hurt but more the shock of it. hmmmm.....i guess i will never know what really happened.

whirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"mommy can i vacuum?" is a very frequent question around this house these days. i, i guess i should say we, got a dirt devil dust buster vacuum. it is very handy to suck up all the crummy messes around this joint. Adler has grown a great affinity for it. she is always begging to use it. so at least once a day i let her get it down and suck up what she can find. it is a wall charger so i let her go till the battery losses it's charge and quits whirring.

waterfall

Adler and daddy are the last ones holding on to this cold bug. daddy has a horrendous cough still he just cant kick. Adler has waterfall running out her nose at all times. the size of her snot bubbles are impressive. she seems find otherwise. she is pestering her sister on a continuous basis and wreaking havoc so i know she is feeling well for the most part.