Gymnastics

Back in February, Ryan and I enrolled both the girls in a 6 week gymnastics course. Elaina was in a parent/child class and Lila was in a beginner class on her own.  It worked well, as they were on the same night, same place, Lila's lasting just a little longer than Elle's.

The girls LOVED it!

I know Elaina's favorite was the bars/rings, and I think Lila liked the beam and tumbling the best!

Last night was our last class, and I'm thinking we're going to have to do that again! 

Just a peek at my little gymnasts!

Pretty much the cutest little legs ever!

Miss Elaina ~ our little monkey!

Getting her ribbon for finishing her first course!

Lila doing her low-kicks on the beam!

Miss Lila ~ our crazy tumbler!

Got her toes all the way up to the bar! Yeah Lila!

Big Steps

As a mother, it's a lot of mixed emotions as you watch your children grow up.

Joy over milestones and accomplishments, and sometimes a bit of sadness as this change takes place.

Last week, Lila took the very first steps to starting school.

Something simple as Early Childhood Screening had me getting all sentimental and yes, a little teary.

She was SO excited to go to school and talk with the teachers.  

When I had to stand back and watch her walk into a room with the door closing behind her... it was tough!

"Where did my baby go?"

Not that I'm suprised, but she did wonderful!  They had lots of complimentary things to say and she was on cloud 9 all day!  I even treated her to a little ice cream afterwards, and she just kept telling me

"Thank you Mommy for taking me to school today!"  My big girl!

Miss Elaina is making some big steps too!  We've been encouraging the potty chair for awhile now, and she is very aware of her bodily functions, but we have had very little success.  Until this weekend!

She's wanting to wear her undies and loves to sit on the potty and read books (and have "treats" of course!).

On Saturday, Lila suddenly announced "ELLIE WENT POTTY" and both Ryan and I sighed, assuming this meant on the floor.  Happily, we were wrong and a little party ensued in our living room!  Lots of hugs and cheering as only a family can do about something like peeing in a pot :)  It was great!  But then again, I realize how quickly the baby phase is fading away.  She is a big personality in a tiny little body, and becoming more of a little girl every day.  

I'm trying to enjoy my children.  All the parts of them.

The drama and chaos, as well as the snuggles and affection.

I know that all this will be a distant memory in the not so far off future, and I need to be grateful for the here and now!  Big steps in their lives will soon be just a day in their past, I want to cherish them all!

Our "little" weekend project

Whew.

What a weekend!

So we figured this would be a good weekend to tackle a few small projects in the seemingly never-ending task of finishing our basement.  Just a couple little things like....

painting, building a shower, finishing electrical, and laying tile...

you know, just little stuff ;)

It was fabulous having nice weather to be able to open all the doors and windows WIDE, but man was I dying inside wanting to be out soaking up the sun.  But trimming paint and laying and grouting tile is just as much fun right?  Right?

Ryan and his Dad did a TON of work, and I'm ever grateful once again for my in-laws!  My mother-in-law came with yesterday and not only did she scour our front bathroom, but she tackled doggie poop duty!!  (I did not suggest, nor encourage either of these tasks... Barb has a mind of her own!)  Am I a lucky lady or what?!

The girls were pretty awesome through all of our work, and even though there wasn't good sleep at night (the whole house is battling colds) meltdowns were at a minimum!  

We still have a long way to go, but man... it feels awesome having so much accomplished!

Here are a "few" pictures from the weekend!

Your floors tend to get a little dusty when you've got construction going on... time to get out the Shark Mop!

Yes, I not only painted, but wired electrical outlets and helped lay tile.  Oh the fun :/

 Ellie and Lila were loving being able to spend time outside :)

Taking a break to blow bubbles with the girls!

Cousin Calli came along on Sunday and the girls had so much fun playing together!!

And here is what we accomplished this weekend...

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

and the shower!!!

Now, off to clean and organize and most importantly... PLAY with my babes!

Peek-a-Boo

Looky Looky!

What do I see?

Yes, those would be Hyacinths' popping their pretty little heads up!!!

And these are my perfect little Lilacs!!

(The sturdy looking one made it through last year's destruction, the others are still babies!)

** Also, want to give a Happy Birthday Shout Out to my friend Jilanne!!

Have a great day babe! So many reasons to celebrate! This year should be a great one!**

A quiet moment

Two little girls.

Sisters.

Quietly watching a movie together.  

Sitting in their special little spot they've created, sharing a blanket

and talking to each other like good friends.

This was a moment that melted my heart.  I captured a little of it on video.

Lila brushing Elle's hair with her hand and asking her if she felt ok.

(Elle's been a little under the weather lately)

So precious!

In the craze that has been our life lately... this was like a cool drop of water!

I've been a little absent from the blogging.  

With work, and work around the house... not to mention two young'uns...  well,

things have been a little nuts.

We've made some amazing progress on our basement, but it's been a TON of work.

I've got to give Ryan most of the credit there, as he's done most of it, but I know my time is coming...

I'm going to pick up primer and paint today!

It just feels like it's a never ending flurry of STUFF to do.

I realized the other day, I have pictures from Christmas that I haven't even sorted through.

I take pictures (far less than I would like), and when I get a chance, I load em on the computer.

But that's where they sit.  Untouched.  

Just don't have the time to get to them. :(

I have a 3 day work week starting tonight, then my glorious stretch off!!!

It won't be any vacation... I see lots of grunge clothes and paint splatters in my future,

but it's time to be home.  With my family.  Hoping for one of those quiet moments to pop up.

Reasons

**Note:  This is just me thinking out loud.  Documentation for us to look back at sometime in the future.  **

Ryan and I have spent the last few months discussing a very large topic.

Something of greater importance than any other choice we've made since we've been married.

Being the parents of two beautiful, healthy, vibrant daughters... do we try to have another child?

There are so many answers that scream out in my head...

"YES"

~ I love being pregnant, feeling that wonderful life inside you.

~The moment you first see that face you created and hear them cry for you.

~The joy I get when I snuggle them in my arms, so warm and sweet and soft.

~The fun of watching siblings play together and knowing that another would add to their world as well.

~The pride I feel when Lila sings her ABC's and puts her puzzles together like a master, or when Elaina puts a few new words into a sentance.  

~The love of being a "mommy", and being able to kiss their owies, and quiet their tears. 

~The hope I have for their futures, and the dreams I have for them...

"NO"

~I barely have the time/energy to handle what I've already got.

~I am finally back into a good "groove" with my husband, and truly Enjoy our time together.

~I sleep at night. (When I'm not working, of course)

~I'm taking charge of my body. Getting healthy, fit, and strong.  

I realize that being pregnant does not destroy this, but major accomodations must be made, and between being pregnant and breastfeeding, 

you do not truly OWN your body for almost 2 years.  That's a big commitment.

And although it hurts me to say it, one of the biggest factors is $$.

~Can we really afford another baby? 

 Do you know it's estimated to cost almost $500,000 to raise a child to the age of 18 if you intend to help with college? 

 That's less activities for each child.  Less family vacations. Less of everything. 

Except LOVE.

There is no doubt in my mind, that having another child in our home would expand our hearts.  No one ever says "I wish I wouldn't have had that last baby", but I think a fair amount of families think "I wish we would have."  

I waver back and forth almost daily.  

Last week, I was feeling sure that our two wonderful children were enough to complete my family.  We could be done, and move forward happy and fulfilled.  

Then, as we climb into bed one night, Ryan says to me, "Tonight when we were watching the girls play, I felt like we needed another baby."  

And now I'm back to gray-zone again.

What's the right answer?

Everyone says, "When you're done, you know it."  I don't.

But with the girls, I had this great anticipatory feeling... hope at getting pregnant, and excitment over a new arrival.  I don't have that either.

So many reasons for either choice.  How will we ever figure this out?

Happy Day!

I have very little information, but wanted to share...

Miss Kaiya got a NEW HEART!!!

She is still currently on bypass, but all seems to be going well!

Keep the prayers coming,

for Kaiya, and her amazing parents, and for the family who made this happen.

God works in mysterious ways!

3/2/2012 10:30pm UPDATE:
Kaiya is doing really well with her new heart and finally getting some
rest after a whirlwind day! 
If you are in need of a great story, please read here and keep the
prayers coming for a smooth recovery. 
Also, I ask for your prayers for the family who endured their own
loss to give Kaiya this most Precious gift!