Missing Camera and Berry Picking

For a day I thought our camera was gone.  It was nowhere to be found.  I checked all the usual spots: each of my bags, the junk cabinet, sent out an e-mail, and even called the gym.  Man, I was bummed because I needed the camera to take pictures on our beach adventure.  In typical fashion, we were pulling out of the driveway when I screamed, "Wait!" and went inside to look for the camera.  It was then that I discovered it was lost somewhere in the great abyss.  I sulked the entire way to the beach.

And in typical me fashion I found the camera the next day, on the floor on my car, of all places.  It must have fallen out of my bag.  And so, although I could not find the camera to take to the beach, it was actually at the beach with us. Irony at its best.

Luckily I had our camera for berry picking the week before because I think these pictures are pretty darn cute.

I grew up picking berries on my grandparents' land in upstate NY.  Gram and Pa always had empty Cool Whip containers or such to toss the berries in.  We'd walk 3 minutes to the berry bushes and get to work. My Great Aunt Gertie would help too and she'd have her pants rolled up clam digger style.  I loved every minute of it.

Now, I must admit, we are new to the berry picking circuit in Oregon.  We drove 45 minutes to a local "Family Favorite Farm" (per the advertising) with hopes of pounds, and pounds of berries, tractor rides, and wholesome family fun.  We got the wholesome family fun part, but not much else.  In fact, we are so new to the berry picking circuit that we didn't even realize we should have brought berry containers. This farm had none.  Zero. Zip. Zilch.  Not even an empty Cool Whip container like Grandma and Pa.

One for me, one for you. 

Fred Meyer saved the day!  

Sunny blue skies. 

Family Favorite?  We were the only people there. 

Farm Girl 

Dandelion seeds. 

Yum 

Stay away from MY berries or else.

I guess I learned two things this past week.  Take better care of the camera and always bring your own berry containers.  Living and learning!

Pre-School

It is hard to believe that Ella is old enough to attend pre-school. Soon she will be four and then FIVE and its off to Kindergarten.  It is beyond my comprehension how fast life has flown since having kids.

It is amazing how much she has changed in the last year.  She was such a baby on her first day.  HERE IS THE PROOF  and she made quite an IMPRESSION.

Anyways, my little pre-schooler was somewhat cooperative (a rarity) for the obligatory photos this morning.

See for yourself:

An awesome shot once I cropped out her Dora Big Girls

Hence, mommy taught her to sit like a lady with a dress on, but now we have a cheesy grin. 

My tall girl

Awww... Sisters

What?! All four eyes looking at the camera? Must be my lucky day!

New York! Part 1

The funny thing about this summer is that my first few days at home dragged on and on and on.  I was getting into my stay at home groove and Ryan was off flying through Europe.  Yet, now the days are full and I have a gazillion activities I would like to do with the girls.  Our Summer 2012 Bucket List has not been completed.  Must. Get. On. That.  Pronto.

Hence the not blogging.  Plus this time I really did quit the cleaning lady (sniff, sniff) so I have been cleaning a room or two during my "free" time (nap time), so my time is limited.  Especially since the Hubs is on the other side of the world and has been for eight days.  I guess when it comes to priorities, blogging doesn't always make the cut.

Now it is time to play catch up. But  I'm going to let Ella do that so I can catch up on some TV.

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Hi Family and Friends,

Summer has been such a blast.  We have been on the go, go, go.  We have been enjoying our town's parks, going to the pool, attending swim lessons, visiting the library, playing with friends, and hanging out at home.

Also, we went on vacation to New York to see Grammy and Grampy and attend Uncle Jonathan's and Aunt Joanna's wedding.  It was a really fun week and we even managed to cram in a trip to Sesame Place.  I want to go back there tomorrow.  I keep asking mommy to take my back but she says something about it being far away.

Anyways, Abby took her first ever flight on August 2 to New York.  She was a really good girl and got to sit with Grandma on the plane.  That was really helpful because I then had mommy and daddy all to myself.  Abby also sat with a grumpy man, but that it another story.  In fact, Abby was so good even though she might have had a double ear infection.  That little sister of mine is pretty amazing.

Please excuse this photo of Abby's  milestone event.  It was the only one my mother captured because she was sitting several rows back.  Don't worry, my mother has major guilt about not capturing the moment, but hopefully Grandma can rescue her from this mothering failure. 

We were so lucky to have the help of Grandma and Pa on the plane and around the airport.  My family packed like we were leaving for years.  We had FOUR carry-ons (Daddy's bag filled with work stuff, a bag for food, a bag for entertainment, and a bag for diaper changing), three suitcases, two car seats, and an umbrella stroller.  If you know anything about the JFK airport, you know that it is not the most user friendly airport.  This was evident in the fact that my mother would not let me touch anything or walk more than .2 cm away from her.  And we had to take a train to the rental car dealership.  We were a spectacle even with help.

By the way, my mother said that her method of packing for the plane with 3 carry-ons, each with a different purpose was A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

After a good night's sleep (and a Klondike bar from Grampy), we went to Rye Playland.  It was so, so, so much fun.  A little hot, but fun.  The rides were made pint sized so mommy and daddy could not go on with me.  I was such hot stuff, but poor Abby was stuck in her stroller.  Next time, sister.

Hot Stuff

Captain Ella 

Well, time is up and I have to go to bed.  More to come on our awesome NY adventure. 

XO, 

Ella (and Abby too!) 

Seattle

This past weekend we took our second annual family vacation to Seattle.  It went fine.  It was not wonderful, nor horrible.  After all, we do have two toddlers, one who takes two naps for a combined four hours, and one who should nap, but refuses.  If we went by their sleep and rest schedule, we would not have left the hotel.


Successes:

1.  We had a very successful dinner at Buca Di Beppo Friday night.  This was HUGE because we had just spent 3 hours in the car and we did not sit down until it was Abby's bedtime.  I credit this success to the large party of teenagers dressed oddly for a scavenger hunt.  Ella was enthralled with their costumes.  For instance, one guy had a sand bucket as a hat and a stuffed monkey on his shoulder.  Who knew what she was thinking, but she was relatively quiet the entire dinner.  Her mind must have been processing something.

2.  Breakfast. The hotel had a hot breakfast every morning.  We owned that breakfast.

What We Learned:

1.  Ella still needs to have the option of a stroller during long walks, especially if she needs to keep up a decent pace.  A tired three year old would have a better attitude in a stroller.  Duh, that is why we bought the Double BOB! We should have brought it.  Knuckleheads.

2. A one bedroom hotel room is not going to work, yet.  So our family of four slept in one room while the pull out bed remained untouched.

Daddy and Abby 

Abby is amazed at the fish 

Ella the Octopus

Ella and Mommy 

Abby's first carousel ride

Add caption

Balloon Man 

$5 bouquet 

Pretty similar to last year's photo

Um, YUM!

Check out last year's visit HERE.  You'll be amazed how much the girls have changed within the year.  

Time Flies

Note:  I am feeling sentimental as a result of my moment watching Ella eat cake (see yesterday's post).  As you can tell, it greatly influenced my post today.  I hope I don't come across as whining, that is not my intention.  Instead I'm aiming to reflect upon how far we have come in a year, how much change has occurred, and all the while, how much I have cherished the early days despite the struggles. 

It is hard to believe that my babes looked like this 365 days ago.  

We were just beginning our lives with two babes.  

I was trying to regain my strength (click HERE). 

Ella just entered the terrible twos while transitioning to life as a big sister. 

Days were long and sleep seemed impossible. 

I remember these days fondly although they were not easy.  

We did not leave the house much.  

I was exhausted.  

Life consisted of play time in the back yard or nursing in the yellow rocking chair. 

Thank goodness for my friends who would come over with coffee and their littles for play dates.  

Many nights I woke up ravenous.  

I'd eat Raisin Bran or Shredded Wheat.  

We have come so far since last year.  

My post from yesterday speaks of a different kind of struggle, but it is easy to see that what is hard for a short time is soon replaced with a new parenting challenge.  When it is replaced, you forget the old challenges.  

Looking back I know I will never again have to deal with night time wakings, nursing, or having two under the age of two (only for 5 days, but still) and while I am thankful for that,  I'm also nostalgic.  Last summer was special.   

Just Me and The Girls

Sometimes weekends are harder than weekdays.  Admitting that makes me feel like a horrible mother, but it is the truth.  Today (and last night) we were daddy-free.  And when that happens there is no break from a long work-week, there is no Saturday morning long lingering shower, and there is no sleeping in past 6:15 am.

This is the first time I have rested all day (unless you count a car ride, I might) and I have already been interrupted three times since Miss Ella is playing the procrastinator's version of Time To Go To Sleep.  This game can test the patience of a saint.  And let me tell you, I am not a saint.

However, even though there was no break from the long work-week, no long lingering shower (in fact, no shower at all today), or no sleeping past 6:15 this morning, by all accounts, it was a great day.

We painted some toesies.  

We practiced cutting, and from what I can tell, she is advanced in this skill set. 

We played Play-Doh like it was our job. 

And THEN we went on an impromptu play date with one of Ella's besties from school.  

This was all done in lieu of a long lingering shower and sleeping in from the stress of a long work week.  

****
 While I was cleaning up the kitchen I felt an incredible sense of fulfillment.  Abby was already in bed, fast asleep.  She was worn out from our adventures.  Ella was sitting outside, winding down while eating the last of her ice cream birthday cake (from last Thursday).  I was tired from giving the girls 110%, but as I stared out my kitchen window looking at my little love bug, my heart was happy and content. I know these are the most precious moments of my life. 

****
Note:  Poor Abby was asleep both times I broke out the camera today.  However, let me assure you that she was engaged, stimulated, and loved on just as much as Ella was today, although I have no concrete proof.

To the Doctor's We Go!

This year we have been to the doctor's office for a gazillion sick visits.  I guess that is what happens when your children first enter daycare/ preschool.  We have been there for rashes, ear infections, high fevers, urinary tract infections, more ear infections, more fevers, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.  Funny thing is that we have only been seeing this doctor since October and I feel like I know him better than any other doctor I've seen in my life.  And that is because we are there ALL. THE. TIME.

One benefit of visiting the doctor weekly is that my kiddos, Ella especially, enjoys the doctor's office, even while sick.  I attribute her love for the doctor due to his sticker assortment (Dora, Spiderman, and just yesterday, a skateboarder) and his never ending supply of Dum-Dums.

Luckily yesterday was just a check-up.  Unluckily, Abby had to get three shots.  Luckily, Ella is up to date on her shots and will not need anymore until Kindergarten.  Unluckily, Abby is behind on her shots (due to an insurance and doctor switch) and will need yet more shots in August.

Anyways, the girls are fine and healthy, growing and growing.  Life is good.

Abby weights in at 25.18 pounds (96.88%) and she is 33 inches long (99.98%).
Check out Ella's first year Well Baby visit HERE.
And, ummm, Abby is just a bit bigger than Ella at this age.

Ella has slowed down a bit.  She currently weights 36 pounds (89.75%) and has hovered around that weight since February.  I am not surprised since she is on the go all the time.  She is one busy bee.
As for height, she is 38.5 inches tall (83.44%).

Yay! For happy and healthy girls.

May Birthday #1

May is birthday month in our house.  75% of our little family celebrates their special day within the month of May.  Ryan is the odd man out.  My birthday was just this past weekend and I FINALLY got what I wanted: a sunny day.  (Plus, a new pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals, two pocketbooks, a pair of earrings, a shirt, a GC, and a bathing suit... spoiled!)

We celebrated ALL. DAY. LONG.
First, we started celebrating at a 3 year old's party.  There I had cupcake #1.

Then we went to the vineyard with some friends.  We had wine (duh!), cheese, and I had cupcake #2.

Momma and Abs

Momma and Ella 

 THEN, we went home for some delicious Thai food and we had CAKE... Sweet #3.

Ella practicing blowing out candles for her upcoming birthday

May birthday girls (minus Abby)

I am still riding the sugar high... 

Just for kicks, this was me last year on my birthday when I was uncomfortably pregnant with my soon to be 11.2  pound baby girl...

Sisters

Well, this picture won't earn me any Mom of the Year awards, but I think it is sweet.  It shows a lazy morning in pajamas watching Curious George and their obvious love for one another.  Precious.

Snot Face

Most people would say they are looking forward to warm weather for the obvious reasons: sunny days and warmer weather, outside adventures, trips to the park, and flip flops.  However, I am looking forward to Spring so my daughters will no longer have colds that leave a trail of snot wiped across their faces.  Snotty faces do not equal cute pictures.

Look for yourself:

Check out Abby's nose, Daddy's is clean... PHEW!

Running

All over the face, but still smiling

And saving the best for last, snot wiped across the face and tinted with dirt from playing outside... Classy

Swing, Babies, Swing!

Today was a sunny day.  It was a gift.  The sky was a brilliant blue with a random cloud here and there.  It was still chilly and crisp, although a bit windy.  It was a perfect day to take the girls to the park and set Abby in the swing for the first time.  

Ella was more than happy to return to the park.  Back in the day it was part of our routine.  

In fact, she was so happy to be on the swings she cooperated and actually LOOKED at the camera!

This is what happens when you say, "Show me your teeth."  I was asking her to smile.  

Pure joy. 

Sweet, sweet Abby eating a snack. 

Look at those teeth.  

She liked it!

Wheeeee!

Life is good.