22 months

I can't even believe all the things she can do. Today she was climbing some advanced ladder type stuff and she can swing and slide like crazy.

She also knows an "M" when she sees one and is very much into Finding Nemo right now. In fact, The movie is a little bit scary in parts and she understands the frantic parts are scary - in fact she wakes up at night and I think she is having bad dreams, but she wants to see it all the time and i just think that Ellen Degeneres fish is so cute.


She also likes when I roll down the window so she can handle park employees and other drive thru people - she just loves saying "hi".


The kisses are free and juicy and the high fives are also quite plentiful with this one. She is nothing if not tenacious and also so friendly.

Her motor, social and verbal skills are blowing my mind. Every day she surprises me with a word, recognition or even a whole saying, and she is starting to string words together on her own.



She is a very responsible dog owner and is very good at feeding and walking her dog. Ono isn't thrilled with the status of being Madee's dog, but hey, better her than the rest of us.


We all have to take a turn, Ono.


Check her out - we played markers today and then it turned into "Pretend Seedy Miami Tattoo Parlor".

Kids these days...

The kids are still pretty cute

Yeah, that little shock of red hair is killing me.

And this one is growing up more and more each day! She is such a good helper - especially when it comes to her sister!

Happy Baby
Being cute on the playground.
A sweet kiss.
And introducing...Mr. Tooth!



I finally got a shot of the first one. It is funny, to us, sometimes we look at her and she is literally all tooth. That tooth is the only thing I see.

It's a cute one!

We went to Makutu's Island - a huge indoor play place for kids in Chandler, and Madee had such a great time. She loved skee ball and the driving video games, and ran and played went down a crazy twirly slide.

Ida had a great time, too. She loves to see kids playing and she was wiggling and reaching for stuff the whole time. She's just growing up so fast!

Madee has a new obsession with Nemo so she was totally into these fish.

And Ida spends a lot of time with this Ritz cracker sleeve I gave her a couple of weeks ago. I just thread it through anything - her pants, the bumbo, any toy - and she just has a good old time crinkling it.


She just has some screaming out in utter pain fits with these teeth coming in. I keep telling her how much she is going to like meat when she gets a couple more!

Did you hear there is a Hurricane Ida? I was named after Hurricane Carmen, and my sister's names were on the Hurricane List the years they were born.

Coincidence? Hmmmm...

Goodness she has a sweet face.

All grown up on the playground...I love how she picks her wedgie!

Precious Pumpkin

We were on the road for Halloween, so we didn't do any trick or treating, but Ida did wear her costume that day...Thanks Grandmommy! I'm an adorable punkin!

The back says, "Boo to You!"

Precious little thing. And she has a little jack o lantern smile since her second tooth came in. It is on top above her other tooth!

Luckily we dress up in costumes all the time, so Halloween is everyday!


We love you, everybody!

Things are crazy around here

And I am pretty much worked. I guess the stress has just all accumulated to a point where no more input may be put in, yet so many things still have to get done, and the stress of moving things and packing things and whatnot has the kids and the dogs teetering on a certain edge that keeps things very loud and wild and whiny around here.

I like to remind myself to breathe.

The long slow breaths that calm you blood, your mind, your soul.

Here we are in a less frantic moment.

Eating Froot Loop necklaces...Madee thinks I am an accessory genius!

I am excited for simpler times, a simpler life.

Not that life is so complicated here, but the planning, the waiting, and the transitory stage has been less than simple.

We are about to be on the beach, on the road, on our way for our grand adventure. With little to do but enjoy the ride. (And get Dad to work of course!)

Before and Afters Are Up!

Oh hey! Come on in!
This is our new house...it's pretty cozy!

But it is the perfect size for us!
We would love to show you around!

We can't wait to get going!
A serious load of before and after pics here!
Daddy did such a good job! Prepare to be impressed!

This Morning's Precious Treasure

An old powder compact. Madee is rubbing the powder puff all over her face and mine, and a few minutes ago she lost the puff inside her full body footsie zipper pajamas.

It is her precious treasure for the morning, and I won't recover it until she goes down for her nap.

She has a new habit of stashing random items - toys, toothbrushes, golfballs - in her pjs.

She tries to stash rocks in her shirt, but they fall out the bottom, so a quick walk can turn into a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG one with lots of bending and picking up and stashing and falling through and "uh oh".

It is funny how I used to dread being left alone with the babies for days, and granted, having Bela changes everything, but I actually enjoy our time alone together now. The days are longer, and we miss Daddy, but Charlie has always left me for work travel, even when we first dated and I would dogsit for Zeus and Zoie (months at a time!) at his place.

So I am used to spending time in the house without him - although he has been home so much in the past year that I got spoiled!

I tend to get spooked in a house by myself (I have a ridiculously VIVID imagination!) But everything is different with a house full of kids. It has been overcast and chilly, and we have been doing a lot of snuggling and cozying and reading in front of the fire.

Eden is fully awake and alert now, and she knows stuff is going on in the house and gets mad if it is going on without her. She will just yell if we leave her anywhere like, "DUDES! You KNOW I can't walk! Come get me!"

She will be crawling in less than a month...she already has scooch leg from trying to get from the living room to the kitchen yesterday.

Madee lavishes attention and love and kisses and hugs on her sister ALL DAY LONG.

It is amazing to me, because I have seen Madee grow up, and watched her love grow for family members and friends, and she is such a sweet girl, but she loves Eden best. Better than any of us. I try to tell Eden how special that is, and how everybody in the world is jealous of her, but she doesn't care, she doesn't know anything different.

She just says, " Goo."

Daddy's Girl

This face. So sweet.

That is a face that looks like me. And my Dad.
I can just totally see it.


Her little Elvis lippy.
Always on the side closest to a nipple. Any nipple.

Kisses.
What a cute baby! Sugar and spice indeed!

Pretty colors, new blogs, and meat hucking

Tahoe colors are changing!


So I started writing stuff on my new blog, Family Sized Fun, because a girl has to start somewhere, and this journey has begun, even if we haven't left the neighbor's driveway yet. I am not sure how to distinguish what goes here or there or whatever, but so far the new blog has been RV and travel related.

Hmm...

Anyway, check out the new blog and follow us around.

Anyhoo...

Yesterday I took Madee to the park and, well, Eden too, but she was asleep in the truck for the most part enjoying the breezy autumn Tahoe weather, anyway, Madee and I climb this little hill that ends in a retaining wall that surrounds the playground, and Madee isn't in the best mood in the first place. As she big girl steps off of the retaining wall, she tumbles to the ground, and when she looks up at me, I can tell she wants to cry, and she starts looking around to see if anybody saw her fall.

I assure her that no one was looking, and she is probably okay, I saw the whole thing and she looked like she made it a good fall.

She is not so convinced that I know her pain, and she shows me her dirty hands and clothes from falling.

"Dust it off" I say.
And I show her how.

But she still just looks at me, teetering on the edge of crying.

And I'm thinking, "Oh, Dora Band-Aids where are you now? How could I go anywhere without those magic little things?"

I may be 2 in, but I'm still new at this mom thing. It sucks to see her injured, physically, emotionally - whatever - I just want to relate and protect and comfort and encourage, and I guess at the moment I was struggling to verbally connect with her and let her know that things were going to be cool.

So I hucked my meat right off that retaining wall and landed on my butt and shoulder just like she did.

And when she locked eyes with me, I tell you, I gave her this little terrified look and then I looked around, got up and dusted myself off, shrugging my shoulders and saying "Wow! That was a doozy!" and seriously, I could deserve an Academy Award, which is a good thing, because Madee wouldn't appreciate a set up.

And she helped me dust myself off. And I helped pat her down, too. And we hugged and she gave me a kiss and then she stuck her hand out for me to hold it as we went to the playground.

That kid.

Unh.

You have no idea what it is like to walk around with no knees. But I start melting at about 7 in the morning. Melting from her cuteness. And I still have to get around like that. With no knees.

**************************************************************

Madee with Bela.

Lake Tahoe lately...

Eden in the girls' RV Room.
Before and Afters coming soon!

Hmmm...

I try hard not to compare the girls, because everybody is unique, but I had to go back and check out when Madee got her first tooth.

Here is a picture from that post.

So apparently, Madee was 1 week shy of her 6 month birthday when we saw that first tooth.

And although there is a good 6-7 weeks difference in their age in the pics, the size and ability is about the same.
So we are thinking maybe Ida was born 2 months old.


Sweet Lips.
Happy HAPPY Baby!
Another one from the Madee files...

Oh goodness I still have to eat her up like 7 times a day!

First Tooth!

It's Official!
She's going to college!

Okay well maybe I am exaggerating, but seriously, doesn't 4 months seem a little young for choppers?
I figured we still had a month or so of cutting, and last night she grabbed Charlie's finger, chomped down, and he was all, "It's THROUGH!

Just like that.
My baby has teeth.

With the two of them, the incongruent naps, the needing, the tantrums and ill-communication, my days can seem so looooooooooooooooooonnnnnng.

And at the same time I wish it would all slow down...

Stats and such

It's a cold, windy, rainy morning here in the mountains, and I can tell it is almost Daylight Savings Time because we have been up for 2 hours, and the sun still really isn't up. Eden is asleep in front of the fire and Madee is snuggled with her blanket on the couch watching Mickey Mouse and answering the questions he asks.

My coffee tastes really good this morning.


Eden went to the pediatrician for her 4 month check up yesterday. Charlie took her because I am a basketcase when it comes to shots and she is an especially shrill screamer.

She is 27 3/4 inches long, and 18 lbs 9 oz.

About the size of a 9 month old. And she is such a beautiful baby. Her curves are astonishing.

In case you are wondering, we were out of town when Madee was 4 months old, so her appointment came at 5 months. On that appointment, she was 18 lbs. and 27 1/2 inches.

We make some big beautiful babies.

Also, I totally forgot Madee's 21 month post, but we went to the pumpkin patch on that day, so I have lots of pictures...
The other day was Little Lila's 2nd birthday - and we met in the park for cupcakes and fun.




Here is Lila in her birthday present from us. We got her the crown, not the fuzzy hat, but I like how they go together.


Little Ida can party, too!The kids had lots of fun. I just love to watch Madee playing with other kids. She showed off her sister a lot and was so patient while presents and attention were lavished upon somebody else.

She did try to take off with a Dora toy. Oh, by the way, Dora teaches her stuff. She says "Abre" for "Open". I don't even know if I spelled that right.

And we played Merry-go-round. We spun and spun and then I let her off to try and walk. Bad Mommy. I am lucky she didn't crack her little head!
.Little fairies in the woods...

We Brought Our Own Pumpkins!

We went to the pumpkin patch in Apple Hill! Madee couldn't believe all the pumpkins~

Is this the one?

Or this one?
Hmmmmm. That looks like a good pick.
There are just so many! I don't know how I'll choose!Ooh! I see one over here!
Mommy and a little punkin.

Oh hey guys!
Gimme kiss!
I was just hanging in this pumpkin patch with Mom and Mad and Uncle Cousin Brody.
Unh.
This one's good!

Or maybe this one.
Yay! Pumpkin Patch!
I think this is the one we came for...
Thanks for all the picture taking, UCB!

Madee l-o-v-e-s you!
A little autumn sweetness.
And a little goofiness, too.
You have never seen me happier. Trust me.

Unless you were here.

A Gracious Blessing

"What the?"
"Do you ever put that thing down?

Rocking her saucer. Note leg meat. Yummalicious!

Running in place.
Chilling at the playground.

Random photo Charlie took at Brody's Birthday Event. Pretty impressive!

Hey Ya'll
She swings standing up.

Stop scaring Mommy!
Oh this deserves more than a couple of words. Ida can haz cereal now, and Madee can haz spoon to help her...

These are the beautiful parts of my normal days.

Watching cartoons. Must be a sad one.

Not sure where I found this, but I love it and I mean it!


Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

Making Memories. Maybe.

Madee, Eden and I went to the farmer's market, and as we went out to the car, Madee requested we take the old Toyota Landcruiser.

Precious.
She loves that car.

It took a couple times to start her in the cold.

As we started down the hill from our house, I looked over at Madee, wind blowing through her hair, music in her ears, fresh pine and chimney smoke and old truck smell making its way through her breath. I wondered if she would have memories of things like this yet. Are these memories still only mine to remember? to document and share with her so she remembers through the story, or will she actually recall someday, riding in that old truck, smelling the gas and the oil and the pine trees and the crisp autumn air of the Sierra?

Will she one day experience some random culmination of smells and sights and sounds so that she feels a bare memory, some essence of this moment in time laughing in the front seat of that gassy old truck riding in the clean morning air to eat fresh tomatoes with her Mama and her sister?

I hope so.

But if I am the only one who remembers I am a very lucky one.

Somebody is too cute...

little bird lips
teething like crazy
laid back

super kissable
saucy
fancy footwork
just darling
even more darling
she likes to bite stuff
sweet smile
too cute with zeus

Of course this has all melted

It was just enough to remind me how much I don't miss winter.

Even though Madee looks really cute playing in it.

Silly gang of snow troopers.

Again.

Ida's Fall Look
Madee's ready for snow.

Can I just tell you I married a badass? My babysitter's bike was stolen out of our garage - HELLO! OUT OF OUR GARAGE! today and Charlie stalked him, found him, and recovered the bicycle.

Bad Aaaaaaasssssss.
This is what Eden sees. She spends a lot of time fluttering her eyelids in response.

I got the flooring for the living area of the RV today. And I am not sure why I haven't transitioned the blog yet - or exactly how I will handle it. I am excited to share pictures, but I want the full impact...

A Few from Birthday Weekend

Auntie Teri came to visit for Birthday Weekend. Her birthday is the 26th, so we gfot to have some fun celebrating together.

I got some really great shots of her when we went out for a shoot.

I am posting a few of my faves.


Happy Feet
Happy Lady



We manifested this little karmannghia...it couldn't have been more perfect.

Auntie reading things to babies...

The coolest girl I know. She talks so much now I am just reeling. She knows an A and a B when she sees one, and knows that 2 comes after 1. And she can say Bela.

She is such a fun little companion.

I chased her around the house cutting her hair for 2 days. She ducks her head and goes, "OWOWOWOWOWOW"

It's very Michelle Williams, no?


Charlie's out painting the RV and it is friggin' freezing out there!
brrrrr.....it's snowing!

4 Months Old

I cannot believe it has been 4 months already. That's crazy! It doesn't even sound right.

Miss Ida is growing up so fast - in fact she can officially eat cereal now. We haven't tried it yet, but it is sitting on the countertop waiting for its moment.


Things have been rough for little Ida as she cuts teeth. She screams and wails and oh goodness there is nothing that will stop her until something in her just gives in.

Sad face.

And she is drooling like crazy.


She's just so pretty, she looks like a baby doll. And she is just absolutely charming and engaging. She rolls over all over the place and army crawls like there's a fire, so I am sure it will be no time before she is running around on the walls surfing the furniture like her sister.

Oh that sounds like fun, doesn't it, Ida?

The littlest one is integrating into the family just fine, in fact, it is already hard to remember what life was like without her.

Like she was just meant to be here all the time.

Compartmentalized

Charlie has been gone the past couple of days and I have been walking around the house, sweeping through the bedrooms, running to get the phone on the other end, and although I have always said this house is just too small for us, suddenly it feels SO big.

And it is full of stuff.

I can't imagine how I am going to organize this family of four into such a small living space. Everything has to count.
Only the essentials...
Have you seen us packed for a 2 week trip?
Everything is essential!

I plan to recreate these adorable little bookshelves in the girls room.


If anybody has any ideas or advice to share, I am totally open to it!

Happy Birthday Mama!

I was thinking maybe I could use some perfume or a new bike, but this is cool, too.

I wonder what we'll name her...

For those of you who don't already know, we have taken the plunge for a full-time RV road life with the girls for the next year or so as Charlie travels his territory for 50 Below. This way we don't have to do without him for half the month or more, and we all get to experience the California Coast.

We figure the girls are at the perfect age to do something like this...

A slide out living area, european kitchen, and canopy over the cab.
Charlie and I will sleep up there, and we will be pulling out the furniture and revamping the living space.

We also plan to maximize outdoor living space.

Big changes are in store for this room as we outfit it for the girls. I am excited about the design challenges for this room and how we plan to attack them for maximized storage and child safety.

I can't wait to show you the afters...

Shower on the left, bathroom on the right. And that little door right there shuts off the hallway/bathroom and bedroom if you want, so we won't disturb Madee at night when we stay up later than her.

Oh, the design possibilities - my head is swimming with ideas and measurements and catalogs right now...

First of all, we should be moved in and on the road before the end of the month. Second of all, this blog will be moving to Family Sized Fun, and our travels, encounters and the documentation of mundane and special things we do will be logged there with the purpose of organizing it all into a lovely travel companion/coffee table book/bathroom reader by the time we are done.

At the very least, it is something we can share with you.

Are we crazy? No more than last week.
Are we excited? You have no idea.

Welcome to our version of "taking it up a notch!"

It's Family Sized Fun!